MASERU — Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili last week demanded a full investigation into last month’s assassination attempt on his life.
“They (would-be assassins) should tell us who they are, who sent them and why they did it. They should be held accountable for what they did,” Mosisili said.
Mosisili escaped unhurt when armed gunmen, believed to have been foreign mercenaries from South Africa and Mozambique, stormed his Maseru West residence on 22 April. Four armed bandits were killed during the attack with two others being arrested following the attack. Seven other suspects were arrested in South Africa.
Mosisili was addressing about 1 000 ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) youths who braved the chilly weather to march to his residence following the end of the party’s youth conference last Sunday.
The march was led by two senior government ministers, Mohlabi Tsekoa and Mothetjoa Metsing.
Metsing read a letter from the party to Mosisili in which the party expressed solidarity with the prime minister.
“Members of (the) LCD are at the end of a journey of peace from the convention centre. We are over the moon to be in your presence. We bring you love, peace and prayers from the bottom of our hearts.
“We thank God for protecting you . . . May God bestow more blessings upon you. May he also tame the enemy. We are brave, so should you,” read part of the letter.
Mosisili said he was grateful for the support shown to him by the party following the attack.
“I cannot stop thanking God for protecting my life. I feel truly humbled by your gesture of appreciation,” said Mosisili.
The prime minister then pointed to the bullet-riddled wall outside the premises saying it was clear evidence that the would-be assassins were bent on shedding blood.
“This white wall is testimony to the bloody fighting that erupted that day,” said Mosisili.
Mosisili said even if the attackers had succeeded in killing him they would not have succeeded in stopping the entrenchment of the democratic culture in Lesotho.
“Had they succeeded in assassinating me, my blood would not have fallen in vain. It would have strengthened LCD. The party would still remain strong. My death would not mean the end of democracy and good governance in Lesotho. Democracy in many instances has been nurtured and watered by people’s blood,” Mosisili said.
Mosisili said he would remain grateful to Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehohla who alerted the security forces as soon as he heard that he was under attack.
“He did all he could to thwart the assassination attempt on my life by immediately alerting the relevant security forces. The military was also exceptional in fending off the enemy.
“There were also no casualties from our side. I commend them for their dedication and professionalism in handling the attack,” said Mosisili.
Mosisili said the office of prime minister can only be secured through national elections and not through violence.
“As for the gunman, he should know that guns are not the way to go. Lesotho is a country of peace, whose founder, King Moshoeshoe I swore by peace,” said Mosisili.
Mosisili said that the attack on the state house should “motivate us to sow peace in our midst.”Mosisili said even if the attackers had succeeded in killing him they would not have succeeded in stopping the entrenchment of the democratic culture in Lesotho.
“Had they succeeded in assassinating me, my blood would not have fallen in vain. It would have strengthened LCD. The party would still remain strong. My death would not mean the end of democracy and good governance in Lesotho. Democracy in many instances has been nurtured and watered by people’s blood,” Mosisili said.
Mosisili said he would remain grateful to Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehohla who alerted the security forces as soon as he heard that he was under attack.
“He did all he could to thwart the assassination attempt on my life by immediately alerting the relevant security forces. The military was also exceptional in fending off the enemy.
“There were also no casualties from our side. I commend them for their dedication and professionalism in handling the attack,” said Mosisili.
Mosisili said the office of prime minister can only be secured through national elections and not through violence.
“As for the gunman, he should know that guns are not the way to go. Lesotho is a country of peace, whose founder, King Moshoeshoe I swore by peace,” said Mosisili.
Mosisili said that the attack on the state house should “motivate us to sow peace in our midst.”
