VZCZCXRO0684
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0577 2891421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161421Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3408
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3809

UNCLAS MASERU 000577 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/S; 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: CONTROVERSIAL RADIO PRESENTER DEPORTED AGAIN 
 
REF: Maseru 339 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  On October 16, listeners to Maseru's popular local 
radio station Harvest FM were surprised to hear a familiar voice 
on the airwaves -- the voice of Reverend Adam Lekhoaba, a 
controversial presenter deported as an illegal alien in May 
¶2007.  As Lekhoaba's claim of Lesotho citizenship continues to 
slowly wind through Lesotho's High Court, Reverend Lekhoaba 
crossed into Lesotho and retook his seat at the microphone. 
However, by 7:30 a.m., he was taken into police custody and by 
lunchtime he had again been deported.  The latest chapter in the 
GOL's struggle with Harvest FM and Lekhoaba is certain to cement 
the Reverend's reputation as an icon of the Lesotho's political 
opposition.  END SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------- 
The Reverend's Return 
--------------------- 
 
¶2.  On the morning of October 16, the Reverend Adam Lekhoaba, a 
controversial radio show host for the equally controversial 
private radio station Harvest FM, reentered Lesotho following 
his May 2007 deportation to South Africa after being accused of 
being an illegally present foreign citizen by the Ministry of 
Home Affairs and Public Safety.  Lekhoaba, who has consistently 
claimed Lesotho as his country of birth and citizenship, filed a 
citizenship claim with the nation's High Court in June 2007. 
During this case, the court heard evidence from a 
court-appointed investigator that Lekhoaba was in fact born in 
Lesotho.  The judge put the case in recess in August 2007, and a 
verdict has been expected for the past two months. 
 
¶3.  In the early morning hours of October 16, Lekhoaba called 
Harvest FM from South Africa and indicated that he was "coming 
home to Lesotho" because it had taken too long for a judgment to 
be made on his case.  Lekhoaba entered Lesotho through the 
Maseru Border Post, and immigration officials stamped his 
passport for a 30-day stay.  He then proceeded to Harvest FM and 
began hosting the popular current affairs program, "Rise and 
Shine."  Shortly before the 7:30 a.m. news, the Lesotho Mounted 
Police Service led by Assistant Commissioner of Police for 
Operations Keketso Kholokholo arrived at Harvest FM's studios 
and ordered the presenter to accompany them to police 
headquarters. 
 
-------------------- 
A Second Deportation 
-------------------- 
 
¶4.  After Lekhoaba was taken to the police station,  Assistant 
Commissioner of Police for Crime John Selete and Police 
Spokesperson Inspector Pheello Mphana informed Harvest FM 
journalist Thabo Thakalekoala (a recent International Visitor 
Leadership Program participant) that Lekhoaba was a "prohibited 
immigrant" and the that police were attempting to ascertain how 
he entered Lesotho.  Lekhoaba was subsequently escorted to the 
South African border and deported.  At the border, bystanders 
heard Lekhoaba loudly make excoriating statements about his 
treatment and his right to Lesotho citizenship. 
 
------------------- 
An Opposition Icon? 
------------------- 
 
¶5.  COMMENT:  The October 16 re-deportation of Lekhoaba is the 
latest chapter in the ongoing saga of the GOL-Harvest FM feud. 
While Lekhoaba's case has been a cause celebre in Lesotho's 
opposition circles for some time, today's events are likely to 
cement his status as a local opposition icon.  Local sources 
state that the fact that he entered Lesotho legally at Maseru 
Border Post infuriated local authorities.  The verdict in his 
citizenship case is set to be delivered on October 26, 2007. 
END COMMENT. 
 
ANDERSON