LISTEN: Lesotho defence commander killed

Opposition leaders have reportedly fled the country fearing for their own lives after Mahao was gunned down on June 25. 

 
Independent journalist Rapelang Radebe says, according to reports, the military suspected that Mahao was part of a group plotting another coup. 

 
"The military confirmed he was killed in an operation where he was being arrested, but he resisted arrest. They apparently wanted to question him about his connection to plotting a coup with some soldiers that have already been arrested," he says. 

 
Radebe says this has led to tension and political instability in Lesotho. 

 
"There is tension that cannot be ignored. Business people say this has affected their business negatively, employees are leaving work earlier for their own safety. MPs have decided to boycott Parliament as a form of protest," he says. 

 
Radebe says the Prime Minister has not personally briefed the media about the developments. 

 
According to a statement by President Jacob Zuma, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is headed to Lesotho as the SADC facilitator on Lesotho to consult with Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili. 

 
Ramaphosa was dispatched after a Ministerial Organ Fact Finding Mission found that the situation in Lesotho is explosive. 

 
Radebe says there is some resentment towards Ramaphosa as people feel he did not adequate address the security situation in Lesotho. 

 
"I have been following the conversation on social media, there is a bit of resentment towards Ramaphosa because he didn't not address the security issues before the elections, some people are suggesting someone else should take over from him," he says. 
The family of Brigadier Mahao is expected to address the media regarding allegations made by the Lesotho government. 

 

(Edited by Sune Du Toit)

File photos: Gallo images 

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