Lesotho: DIRCO needs to lift the veil of secrecy

07 September 2014

Reports indicate that since last week Saturday, 30 August, the South African Government has been intricately involved in the Kingdom of Lesotho's political meltdown.

Despite the South African Government's role in Lesotho directly and indirectly through the possible deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops and deployment South African Police Service (SAPS) officers; and through South African Development Community (SADC) diplomatic channels, the official details are still unclear. 

The time has come for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to lift the veil of secrecy around South Africa's involvement in Lesotho. 

I will therefore be calling for DIRCO Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane to make a statement, in the National Assembly, in terms Rule 106 (1), in which she must fully disclose the South African Government's role in Lesotho.

The statement needs to clarify the following:

What deadlines was Prime Minister Thabane given to reopen Lesotho's Parliament;

What role, if any, is the SANDF playing in Lesotho;

What role is SAPS playing in Lesotho;

Is SADC considering military intervention;

What mandate have South African diplomatic officials been given in Lesotho; and

Are the SANDF and SAPS involved in tracking down coup leaders?

It is incumbent upon the South African Government to lift the veil of secrecy cast over our government's role in Lesotho's precarious political position.

Statement issued by Stevens Mokgalapa MP, DA Shadow Minister of International Relations & Cooperation, September 7 2014

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