VZCZCXRO9964
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0436/01 2041434
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 231434Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3194
INFO RUEHOR/AMEMBASSY GABORONE PRIORITY 0409
RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3581

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000436 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S; 
GABORONE FOR RSO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC KDEM PHUM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: ARMY AND POLICE RECOVER STOLEN WEAPONS AMID NEW 
ARRESTS 
 
REF: A) MASERU 428; B) MASERU 398 
 
MASERU 00000436  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  On June 19, the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and 
the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) launched a joint 
operation to recover weapons stolen from army guards outside of 
ministerial residences (ref B).  In their first major success in 
locating these weapons, the LDF and LMPS recovered eleven 
rifles, a pistol, and two military radios among other items. 
Authorities took one suspect into custody, while another was 
killed in a firefight.  In other developments, radio journalist 
Thabang Moliko and local taxi owner Thabiso Ts'osane were 
questioned by authorities over the weekend.  The recovery of 
these stolen weapons is a significant success for the GOL, and a 
sign that their investigation into the June 2007 attacks on 
ministerial residences may be picking up steam. END SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
---------------------------- 
 
Stolen LDF Weapons Recovered 
 
---------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶2.  In the early morning of June 19, the LDF and LMPS launched a 
joint operation northeast of Maseru at Ha Ts'osane and 
Sekamaneng.  According to Police Inspector Mphana, eight Israeli 
Galilee rifles, two M16 rifles, a 9 mm pistol, two army radios, 
and an assortment of ammunition was recovered during the 
operation.  (NOTE:  The Galilee rifle is a standard issue weapon 
for the LDF.  END NOTE.)  A man named Kantu Pakela was arrested 
during the action, and another man was killed during a firefight 
with authorities.  According to police sources, a cab driver who 
transported the two men tipped off police after he suspected the 
men were carrying rifles.  The remaining weapons were found in a 
derelict house along with 2 boxes of AK47 ammunition, a white 
jumpsuit, two pairs of army boots, seven ski masks, seven black 
uniforms, six heavy black jackets, two police-style utility 
belts, and a box of rubber gloves.  A military spokesperson 
quickly announced the results of the operation on state-owned 
Radio Lesotho. 
 
 
 
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Fresh Arrests 
 
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¶3.  On July 20, police took into questioning Thabang Moliko, a 
freelance presenter for private radio station People's Choice 
(PC) FM, and local taxi owner Thabiso Ts'osane.  Moliko, who 
hosts a current affairs program on PC FM, was released at 
midnight the day of his arrest after questioning about his radio 
program.  On air, Moliko had questioned the validity of military 
statements concerning recent operations to recover stolen 
weapons.  Also on June 20, local taxi owner Ts'osane was 
questioned by police.  He is still in custody.  His family and 
lawyer were denied access to him on July 21, but were able to 
see him the following day.  His lawyer, well-known local 
attorney Hae Phoofolo, complained to private opposition-oriented 
radio station Harvest FM on July 23 that he was not permitted to 
talk to his client in private.  Mr. Ts'osane's mother 
subsequently stated on the same radio station that authorities 
informed her that her son would be charged with high treason. 
 
 
 
--------------------- 
 
A Victory for the LDF 
 
--------------------- 
 
 
 
¶4.  COMMENT:  For the last month, the LDF has appeared anxious 
to recover from the humiliation inflicted by the unidentified 
masked gunman who stole weapons from soldiers guarding 
ministerial residences.  This operation, conducted in 
coordination with Lesotho police, finally shows the LDF in a 
more competent and effective light.  However, the new arrests 
may turn the spotlight onto the LDF and GOL's new area of 
exposure -- human rights.  Three members of the so-called 
 
MASERU 00000436  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
"Makoanyane Five," a group accused by the GOL of "coup plotting" 
who claimed that they were tortured by the LDF, will again 
appear at the Magistrate Court on July 24 (ref A).  As Prime 
Minister Mosisili triumphantly signs a $362 million compact with 
the Millennium Challenge Corporation in Washington, the 
political situation back home remains calm but tense with the 
GOL taking heart in their first major operational victory 
against the still largely unknown forces behind the June 2007 
attacks.  END COMMENT. 
ANDERSON