VZCZCXRO9810
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0152 1421449
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211449Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3697
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4116

UNCLAS MASERU 000152 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS; 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PREL LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: BRAZEN CARJACKING AND FIREFIGHT STARTLES MASERU 
 
REF: A) MASERU 142; AND B) MASERU 151 
 
¶1.  According to eyewitness accounts, at approximately 6:00 p.m. 
on the evening of Tuesday, May 20, there was a heavy exchange of 
gunfire near the Maseru Cathedral traffic circle in the central 
business of the capital city.  Employees of a U.S.-based NGO 
located at an adjacent office building took cover at their 
offices during the barrage of shots.  The representative of a 
local security firm subsequently informed Emboffs that a group 
of four armed men had attempted to carjack a private vehicle 
that had stopped in heavy traffic near the circle.  After 
failing, one attacker pulled the driver of a nearby taxi out of 
his car, causing panic among the taxi's passengers and nearby 
pedestrians.  Two off-duty soldiers in a small private truck 
exchanged considerable fire with the attackers, who escaped, and 
no injuries were reported. 
 
¶2.  COMMENT:  There is currently no basis to link the May 20 
carjacking attempt to a May 13 attack on military and police 
units (ref A) or a May 19 confrontation between taxi drivers and 
law enforcement authorities (ref B).   These incidents have, 
however, cumulatively increased anxiety among local residents 
who perceive a recent sharp increase in criminal activity. 
Although carjackings occur in Lesotho, the brazen downtown armed 
attack on May 20 during rush hour is unusual.   There is no 
evidence that U.S. interests or members of the international 
community have been targeted during these recent security 
incidents.  Post nonetheless issued security and warden notices 
on May 21 informing mission staff and U.S. citizens of the 
carjacking event (most employees were already aware, following 
activation of the mission phone tree on the evening of May 20) 
and advising that driving be minimized after dark.  END COMMENT. 
 
MURPHY