…as boot camp “harasser” faces dismissal
Mathatisi Sebusi
LESOTHO Defence Force (LDF) commander, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, has vowed not to allow any soldier under his command to tarnish the image of the army.
Lt-Gen Letsoela said the LDF is in the process of dismissing a soldier who allegedly made sexual advances to a minor participating in the 13th edition of the LDF Youth Development Programme (boot camp).
He stressed that the LDF’s mandate was to protect the nation, not to persecute citizens.
He made these remarks on Saturday while addressing parents of boot camp participants at Mafeteng Military Base, where the programme is currently underway. The LDF hosted a fun walk for parents and their children, giving families an opportunity to interact and check on the well-being of the participants.
The boot camp is an intensive youth development and rehabilitation programme aimed at instilling discipline, integrity and life skills among young people. It focuses on crime prevention and leadership development through physical training, education and national values, and concludes with a pass-out parade.
The coordinator of the LDF Youth Development Programme, Lieutenant Colonel Bokang Melato, said 377 youths — 112 girls and 265 boys — with an average age of 13 to 14 years were enrolled this year.
Lt-Col Melato sought to clarify reports circulating on social media alleging widespread sexual harassment at the camp, describing them as exaggerated and damaging to the reputation of the programme, participants, parents and the LDF.
“What was broadcast on social media tarnished many things, including the boot camp itself, the participants and their parents, as well as the LDF,” Lt-Col Melato said.
“The posts suggested that there was widespread sexual harassment of underage children at the camp, which is not the case.”
He explained that the incident involved a single female participant who fell ill and was transported by ambulance to Maseru. Upon her return to Mafeteng the following day, a caregiver assigned to assist sick participants commented that the girl was beautiful and said he wished she were his girlfriend. At the time, those present dismissed the remark as a joke.
However, Lt-Col Melato said the caregiver later repeated the inappropriate remarks when the ambulance arrived in Mafeteng.
“This individual was entrusted with caring for sick participants and often spent time alone with them in the ambulance. After repeated advances, the girl reported the matter to an instructor.”
He added that when the participant later fell ill again and was once more alone with the caregiver, the inappropriate behaviour continued and culminated in the soldier kissing her.
Lt-Col Melato said the matter was immediately addressed, with the caregiver relieved of his duties and sent back to Maseru for further disciplinary and possible legal action. Parents were informed as soon as the incident was reported.
“For the past three years that we have been running this boot camp, this is the first time such behaviour has occurred,” he said.
An irate Lt-Gen Letsoela emphasized that the LDF’s mandate is to protect the public and ensure their safety, adding that any member who violates this responsibility will face the full force of the law.
“I was extremely angry when I received the news about this horrible incident. If we were not accommodating children here, you would be hearing a very different story about him. He should have been dealt with immediately within these walls, and his family would have had to find a way to collect him.
“His actions go against the command and values of the LDF. We cannot place children among wolves. He should no longer be a member of the LDF. We have detained him at a facility where the army keeps criminals, and once we are done with him, we will send him back to his village, where the community will set dogs on him if he continues with such behaviour.
“He is leaving the army because of the terrible act he committed against the children of this nation. This painful incident has caused our enemies to mock us. Such behaviour will not be tolerated under my command, at this venue, or in front of these flags—the army and national flags. We took him from the streets, and he has now tarnished the image of the army. We will return him to the streets.”
He assured parents that the participants were safe.
“I inspected these children and all I saw were joyous faces. I did not see tortured people. I can assure you that they are safe,” he said.
Meanwhile, Basotho National Party (BNP) leader Machesetsa Mofomobe has written to Prime Minister Sam Matekane requesting the establishment of a commission of inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse and financial mismanagement in the LDF boot camp programme.
In a letter dated 27 December 2025, Mr Mofomobe said there were “grave and disturbing allegations of systematic sexual harassment and sexual abuse” involving female boot camp participants.
“I write to you in my capacity as a Member of Parliament, a whistleblower and a concerned citizen, to respectfully but firmly call upon your office to consider the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry,” the letter reads.
Mr Mofomobe claimed that two female participants had privately contacted him, alleging they were raped during the programme.
He added that after he raised the matter on social media, the LDF spokesperson, Colonel Sakeng Lekola, confirmed that a member of the force had been arrested for alleged sexual harassment of a boot camp participant.
“These communications suggest that the reported incident may not be isolated, but rather indicative of a broader and more entrenched pattern of abuse which requires urgent, independent and comprehensive investigation,” he said.
Mr Mofomobe has also written to sponsors of the boot camp, alerting them to allegations of financial mismanagement and sexual abuse of young participants.
Contacted for comment this week, Prime Minister’s Press Attache, Thapelo Mabote, said the Office of the Prime Minister had not yet received Mr Mofomobe’s letter and therefore could not comment on it.
