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South African president Zuma deeply concerned over situation in Lesotho

Xinhua, June 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Lesotho, according to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

Zuma,, in his capacity as Chairperson of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, is particularly concerned about the flight of three opposition leaders and the killing of Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao, former Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), it said.

Mahao was killed by soldiers on June 25, 2015 outside Maseru.

Zuma condemns the killing of Mahoa, an unfortunate and tragic incident which threatens to undermine Lesotho's efforts towards the peaceful transition following the February 2015 elections, DIRCO said.

Following the incident, Zuma dispatched a fact-finding mission to Lesotho to assess the latest political and security developments in the country.

After receiving the report of the mission on Monday, Zuma has become more concerned about the apparent explosive security situation in Lesotho, according to DIRCO.

In this regard, Zuma has decided to urgently dispatch his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the SADC Facilitator on Lesotho, to consult with Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.

Zuma is also sending a Special Envoy to the Chair of SADC Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean president to share his deep concerns about the security situation in Lesotho, said DIRCO.

Zuma has reiterated the need for all stakeholders in Lesotho to resolve their political differences through legal and peaceful processes and further reiterated the pressing need to expedite the process of establishing institutional and security reforms, as recommended by the SADC Double Troika Summit held in Pretoria on Feb. 20, 2015, DIRCO said.

Zuma also conveyed his condolences and sympathy to the Mahao family, King Letsie 111 and to the government and people of the kingdom, according to DIRCO.

Mahao, an ally of Lesotho's former leader Thomas Thabane, is a bitter rival of current army chief Tlali Kamoli.

Former Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane lost the February elections to current Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.

It remains unknown who masterminded Mahao's killing.

Lesotho's Minister of Defence Tseliso Mokhosi said the government will convene a court martial to determine the innocence of all the mutiny suspects involved in the killing of Mahao. Endi