Ramaphosa Urgently Deployed to Lesotho

2015-06-30 06:03

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has been urgently sent to Lesotho to consult with Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili following fears of more political instability in the country.

The decision was taken by President Jacob Zuma, who is the chairperson of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security co-operation, the Southern Development Community (SADC) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Ramaphosa is the SADC facilitator on Lesotho.

The decision to deploy him was taken after three opposition party leaders fled the country and the killing of former Lesotho Defence Force commander Brigadier Maarparankoe Mahao, SADC said.

Mahao was allegedly shot dead by soldiers in his home on the outskirts of Maseru on Thursday.

'Explosive security situation in Lesotho'

Zuma, in his SADC capacity, sent a ministerial organ fact finding mission to Lesotho from Friday, June 26 to Monday, June 29, to assess the latest political and security developments in the country.

"After receiving the report of the fact finding mission, President Zuma has become more concerned about the apparent explosive security situation in Lesotho," SADC said.

This informed his decision to urgently send Ramaphosa to Lesotho.

"Further, President Zuma is sending a special envoy to the chair of SADC, HE Robert Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to share his deep concerns about the security situation in Lesotho as contained in the ministerial fact finding mission."

Zuma condemned the killing of Mahao, which he said was an unfortunate and tragic incident which undermined Lesotho's efforts towards a peaceful transition following elections in February.

He sent his condolences to the Mahao family, King Lestsie III, the government and the people of Lesotho.