South African Police Service Engages with Lesotho Authorities Amid Claims of Military Training Camps

Strategic Insights -

The South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, is leading a delegation to meet with Lesotho's Police Chief, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, in Maseru, following claims of Basotho-styled military training camps in South Africa. The claims, made by Lesotho authorities, suggest that Basotho are undergoing military-style training in certain farms within South Africa's provinces of Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. The meeting is part of a growing campaign to fight for the contentious land in South Africa's provinces.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SAPS has deployed a delegation of senior officials from various government departments under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) to meet with Lesotho authorities.
  • The delegation includes the Deputy National Commissioner of Policing and co-chair of NATJOINTS, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, the head of Interpol in SA, a senior officer from SAPS Crime Intelligence, and a senior officer from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
  • Lesotho authorities have presented credible information about Basotho undergoing military-style training in certain farms within South Africa, as part of the growing campaign to fight for the contentious land in South Africa's provinces.
  • The claims involve parts of the Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
  • Lipholo, a Lesotho member of parliament, has been charged with sedition and incitement for leading the charge in demanding the return of Lesotho's "stolen land" in South Africa.
  • Lipholo has submitted a claim to the UN to reclaim land lost during the colonial era, but the Lesotho government has distanced itself from his agenda.

Statistics:

  • 5 provinces in South Africa are involved in the claims of military training camps: Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.
  • 1 delegation from South Africa is meeting with Lesotho authorities, consisting of senior officials from various government departments under NATJOINTS.
  • 1 member of parliament in Lesotho, Dr Tshepo Lipholo, has been charged with sedition and incitement for leading the campaign to demand the return of Lesotho's "stolen land" in South Africa.

Sources:

  • Newzroom Afrika
  • IOL