SA to send 140 police officers to Lesotho

This was in line with the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) intervention in that country following a foiled military coup in August, he told journalists at Parliament following the executive's fortnightly meeting on Wednesday.

 

"Cabinet approved the deployment of 140 members of the SA Police Service to the Kingdom of Lesotho for the initial period of 90 days, with an extension should it be required."

 

Radebe said the SADC intervention was aimed in particular at attaining long-term political and security stability in Lesotho.

 

"The SADC troika on politics, defence and security... requested the South African government to support the implementation of the roadmap of the Kingdom of Lesotho."

 

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently in Lesotho in his role as SADC facilitator.

 

SAPS members have reportedly been present in the mountain kingdom from the first few days after the attempted coup by members of Lesotho's military.

 

 

(File photo: Gallo images)