National
Lesotho suspected coup: Border posts operational─── CHRISTAL-LIZE MULLER 11:29 Sat, 30 Aug 2014
Bloemfontein - South Africa's provincial coordinator of border post control, Lieb Venter, has confirmed to OFM News that there is no problem at any of the border posts between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
This comes after reports of an alleged coup attempt by the Lesotho army this morning. Venter says all eight border posts are fully operational at present.
Meanwhile, Gavin Hesketh, a South African resident who commutes to Lesotho daily for work says he had no problems crossing the border at Maseru this morning and does not anticipate any difficulty returning home to Ladybrand this evening.
Meanwhile there have been unconfirmed reports that border officials at the Caledon border post are advising people who want to cross into Lesotho to rather stay in South Africa due to the alleged coup.
Meanwhile, Gavin Hesketh, a South African resident who commutes to Lesotho daily for work says he had no problems crossing the border at Maseru this morning and does not anticipate any difficulty returning home to Ladybrand this evening.
Meanwhile there have been unconfirmed reports that border officials at the Caledon border post are advising people who want to cross into Lesotho to rather stay in South Africa due to the alleged coup.
Lesotho's military seized control of several police stations and the police headquarters and jammed radio stations and phones in the early hours this morning. A source, who asked to remain anonymous, told OFM News that gunfire erupted at around 03:00 this morning in Ha-Mabothe, adding that there were several casualties.
Earlier this month, Thabane defended his decision to issue members of the Gupta family with diplomatic passports and rejected opposition demands to withdraw them. This, after he appointed Atul Gupta as a special advisor.
He said he appointed the Gupta family to market Lesotho in countries where they have “influence”, and to secure investments for the country, the Star reported on Monday.
In June, the South African government expressed concern over the political situation in Lesotho after Thabane suspended the country's parliament.
Earlier in June, the LCD was reported to have strongly criticised Thabane for ignoring his coalition partners.
The political pact was formed in June 2012 after elections in Lesotho failed to produce a single party with a majority win of parliamentary seats.
On Saturday, Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela tweeted that a media briefing would be held regarding the current situation in Lesotho.
Earlier this month, Thabane defended his decision to issue members of the Gupta family with diplomatic passports and rejected opposition demands to withdraw them. This, after he appointed Atul Gupta as a special advisor.
He said he appointed the Gupta family to market Lesotho in countries where they have “influence”, and to secure investments for the country, the Star reported on Monday.
In June, the South African government expressed concern over the political situation in Lesotho after Thabane suspended the country's parliament.
Earlier in June, the LCD was reported to have strongly criticised Thabane for ignoring his coalition partners.
The political pact was formed in June 2012 after elections in Lesotho failed to produce a single party with a majority win of parliamentary seats.
On Saturday, Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela tweeted that a media briefing would be held regarding the current situation in Lesotho.
Sabrina Dean and Christal-Lize Muller/ OFM News
Gavin Hesketh:
