Pascalinah Kabi
Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has assured Basotho that there will be no repeat of the 1998 disturbances which led to the death of hundreds of people following the arrival of Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces.
Dr Thabane told journalists upon his arrival from New York where he attended a two-week United Nations General Assembly meeting that his government does not promote violence.
He also briefed journalists on the outcomes of the SADC Double Troika Summit convened in Pretoria, South Africa to discuss the provision of assistance to Lesotho in managing its security crisis.
“I would like to assure you all, and very seriously, that we are not going to tolerate violence. It does not matter who starts it. The people have spoken loud and clear that enough is enough,” Dr Thabane said.
He said SADC has made fresh commitment to help restore political and security stability by implementing the regional bloc decisions of a national reform agenda.
Following the assassination of the Lesotho Defense Force Army Commander, Lieutenant General Khoantle Motšomotšo on September 5, a SADC Double Troika Summit approved Lesotho’s request for a stand-by force comprising military, security, intelligence and civilian experts to assist the government manage the security crisis.
Lt-Gen Motšomotšo was shot dead at his Ratjomose Barracks’ office by his subordinates – Brigadier Bulane Sechele and Colonel Tefo Hashatsi.
Brigadier Sechele and Colonel Hashatsi were subsequently shot dead by Lt-Gen Motšomotšo’s bodyguards. The SADC stand-by-force is expected in Lesotho in the first week of November.
