’Marafaele Mohloboli
LESOTHO’s Consular General in Johannesburg, Bonner Seakhoa has refuted allegations that he has been following the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) leader, Mothetjoa Metsing to his hideout in South Africa and harassing him.
Mr Metsing has been holed up in South Africa since last August where he sought refuge claiming assassination fears.
Allegations of Mr Metsing’s harassment follow reports that he was arrested in South Africa last weekend and detained at a police station in Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal.
However, it later emerged that the LCD leader had not been arrested as speculated after Mr Seakhoa visited the police station when he saw the LCD leader’s car parked outside.
It was alleged that Mr Seakhoa had gone to inform police officers that Mr Metsing was a fugitive from law and a wanted man in Lesotho.
“The allegations are false because I have not tailed Mr Metsing or send some people to do so. What happened was that, I happened to be in Vereeneging with some friends at the weekend when I saw a car bearing Lesotho registration number plates parked at the police station. I became concerned and went in the police station to find out whether there was a Mosotho who needed some help,” Mr Seakhoa told the Lesotho Times this week.
He explained that it was only when he got into the police station that he realized the car belonged to Mr Metsing. It is understood there was an arrangement to park the car at the police station after Mr Metsing had raised security concerns.
“The thing is as a responsible Mosotho representing Basotho in South Africa, I did what I did trying to render my assistance, as I thought someone needed help. Even if it were any other car, I would still have go in to make some inquiries and see how I could help,” Mr Seakhoa added.
LCD spokesperson, Mr Teboho Sekata said they were not happy with the way the government was conducting itself towards their leader.
“Despite what happened, to date the government has still not clarified Seakhoa’s mission at the police station. To us that can only mean that they are behind what happened. If they cared, they would have known that there is an arrangement between Mr Metsing and LCD, that his car should be parked at that particular police station, for security reasons,” said Sekata.
Contacted for a comment, His Excellency the High Commissioner Lesotho to South Africa, Ralechate ’Mokose confirmed that he received a report from Mr Seakhoa explaining he had in the manner he did as it was within his jurisdiction.
“The police station where Ntate Metsing’s car was seen is in Seakhoa’s territory and logically when he saw the car, he wanted to find out what it was doing there,” Ambassador ‘Mokose said.
Mr Seakhoa also indicated in his report that he could not immediately get the information he wanted as the officer in charge of the matter was not on duty.
