VZCZCXRO7984
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0428/01 2010930
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 200930Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3179
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3566

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000428 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/S; 
GABORONE FOR RSO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM ASEC PHUM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: LAWSUITS AND PRESS STATEMENTS AMID RELATIVE QUIET 
 
REF: A) MASERU 398;  B) MASERU 385 
 
MASERU 00000428  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  The past week and a half in Maseru passed 
quietly without jarring developments relating to Lesotho's 
ongoing political impasse.  Deputy Prime Minister Lehohla 
addressed the nation on Lesotho Television on July 10, 
reinforcing the government line that attacks on ministerial 
residences were an organized attempt to destabilize the Kingdom 
and "destroy peace."  At a news conference on July 11, Lesotho 
Defense Force (LDF) Commander Lieutenant General Thuso Motanyane 
emphasized that the military will continue to search for the 
attackers and that charges against more current and former 
military are forthcoming.  On July 14, a group of NGOS announced 
a case against the GOL for torture and extra-judicial arrests, 
and the High Court quickly issued a ruling in their favor. 
While the story of Lesotho post-election political saga 
continues to unfurl, the slower velocity of recent events is a 
welcome respite from the wild ride of the past few months.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------------------------- 
 
DPM: Some Weapons Recovered, Six Men Wanted 
 
------------------------------------------- 
 
 ¶2. (U) On Tuesday July 10, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister 
of Home Affairs Lesao Lehohla made an official statement on 
Lesotho Television, simultaneously transmitted on Radio Lesotho. 
 Lehohla maintained the government line that recent attacks on 
ministerial residences were intended to destabilize and 
overthrow the GOL, and that some of the coup plotters would 
appear before the court on July 24.  He appealed to the public 
to give any information to state security organs that could lead 
to the arrest of subversive elements.  Lehohla claimed that some 
illegal weapons had been recovered, and stated the names of six 
individuals currently wanted in connection with these 
activities.  They are believed to have fled the country (Khotso 
Lebakeng, Mokherane Tsatsanyane, Semoli Semoli, Sello Mokhothu, 
Mothepu Mothepu, and Thabo Thants'i).  He concluded by noting 
that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mediated 
talks led by former Botswana President Masire on Lesotho's 
political situation, including the contentious issue of the 
allocation of proportional parliamentary seats, would continue 
only after all election-related legal cases are resolved through 
the court system. 
 
 ----------------------------- 
 
LDF Commander: Country "Face to Face With Terrorism" 
 
----------------------------- 
 
 ¶3. (U) On July 11, LDF Commander Lieutenant General Motanyane 
held a press conference at Ratjomose Barracks "to clarify 
certain issues involving the army to the public."  He stated 
that the country had come "face to face with terrorism through 
recent attacks on the homes of cabinet members and on the police 
and army."  The Commander stated that the LDF High Command had 
concluded that a number of LDF soldiers participated in a plan 
to topple the government.  According to Motanyane, the army was 
then forced to take those personnel and their "civilian 
partners" into custody.  General Motanyane noted that the army 
will continue operations to recover the weapons lost in previous 
attacks.  Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao defended that military's 
move to re-arrest three of the "Makoanyane 5" (an action which 
led to civil disturbances on July 7, see reftel A), pointing out 
that the three army officers (Major Mokhants'o, Captain 
Ramots'o, and Corporal Majalle) still faced military charges 
ranging from dereliction of duty to "communicating with the 
enemy." 
 
 --------------------- 
 
Civil Society Takes a Stand, Court Agrees 
 
--------------------- 
 
 ¶4. (SBU) On July 14, the Law Society of Lesotho (equivalent of 
the American Bar Association in the U.S.) launched a case in the 
nation's high court demanding that the GOL and its organs cease 
extra-judicial arrests and torture.  Defendants in the case were 
the Prime Minister, the Lesotho Defense Forces Commander, the 
Commissioner of Police, and the Attorney General.  The case 
specifically referred to the so-called "Makoanyane 5" -- three 
military personnel and two civilians who were allegedly tortured 
at Makoanyane Military Hospital in retaliation for their 
supposed role in attacks on ministerial residences (reftel A). 
On July 16, Lesotho's High Court ruled in the case, forbidding 
the LDF Commander from "assaulting or torturing members of the 
 
MASERU 00000428  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
public and/or subjecting them to any form of inhuman treatment." 
 The judge also ordered the Police Commissioner to "accept into 
custody members of the public assaulted by the army" and "accord 
them necessary protection and assistance."  The police were also 
directed to "investigate criminal acts perpetrated by members of 
the army."  The defendants were given until July 30 to 
demonstrate any reason why the ruling could not be executed. 
 
 ---------------------- 
 
The Pot Slowly Simmers 
 
---------------------- 
 
 ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT:  The Deputy Prime Minister's July 10 
statement was the GOL's first detailed public explanation on 
recent political events.  Over recent weeks, Maseru's resident 
diplomatic corps, including the U.S. Chargi, have consistently 
urged the GOL to communicate more with the public.  By all 
appearances, LDF Commander Motanyane appears to be of one mind 
with the GOL regarding their interpretation of the last month's 
events.  Lesotho's civil society remains unbowed, and the 
nation's High Court appears ready to support it.  The next 
chapters of this saga are likely to be written when the 
"Makoanyane 5" appear in court on July 24 to face treason 
charges and on July 30 when the GOL has its last chance to 
object before the police begin to investigate charges of 
military torture.  However, many observers find solace in the 
fact that Lesotho's political pot, a month ago at full boil, has 
not settled to a slow simmer.  It remains an open question who 
will next find it advantageous to raise the heat and when.  END 
COMMENT. 
ANDERSON