Africa-Press – Lesotho. Two members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) have been arrested in South Africa (SA) while on duty to protect Basotho livestock on July 19. This is according to the press statement by the LDF.
It says, the duo was arrested while on duty to protect the livestock stolen at Mosaqane in Qacha’s Nek. The statement further says these soldiers are held in custody at Matatiele Police Station and are in good health.
LDF further says that upon learning of these developments the command informed relevant stakeholders and their SA counterparts to seek a solution to this as according to the statement, they have amicable working relations. Allying the nation’s worries, LDF says it will keep them abreast of latest developments regarding this issue as it unfolds. “The command [of LDF] affirms to the nation of their resolve to protect the country, members of the public and their
properties,” reads the statement in pertinent part. The LDF Communications Officer Captain Kelebone Mothibi told Informative Newspaper that this is not the first incident that the members of the army are found in SA.
He said in 2004, one member of the LDF was found dead at Ha-Ramats’eliso in Qacha’s Nek which shares the border with SA. Captain Mothibi said during their patrol of
the border, the soldiers do not cross over to SA. He however said they can cross over once arrangements have been made at the highest level of governance
by both states. Meanwhile, there is a video clip in circulation on social media of two men in army uniform are waylaid facing down and beaten by other soldiers who were hurling expletives at them.
However at the time of going to print this publication could not verify if there are LDF members as the LDF Communications Office did not entertain questions.
Stock theft is one of the challenges confronting Lesotho villages sharing the border with SA. To counter this challenge, the government of Lesotho has posted the army along the borders of these two countries to amongst others carry out border patrols and protect the country’s territories.
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