Cops harass me, says opposition leader
2000-08-09 16:06
Maseru - The leader of Lesotho's main opposition party, General Metsing
Lekhanya, on Wednesday sought an order in the High Court here to
halt what he claimed was harassment by the security forces.
Lekhanya, leader of the Basotho National Party (BNP), asked in an
affidavit to the court for the withdrawal of members of the
security forces from his residence on the outskirts of the capital
Maseru, and that "security officers should cease following him
wherever he goes".
He claimed the surveillance began after his weekend call for a
five-day general strike in the tiny African mountain kingdom in
protest at what he said was government's intransigence regarding
preparations for the 2001 general elections.
The strike call went unheeded.
Government spokesperson Tom Thabane said in a radio interview
on Wednesday morning: "We are not aware that the leader of the Basotho
National Party is being harassed by the security forces."
Police claimed they were merely carrying out routine patrols.
"There is nothing special about Mr Lekhanya," said Senior
Superintendent Sekoateng Serabele.
Lekhanya's application is being heard by Judge Ntsabeng Mofolo, who
is expected to give a ruling later in the week. -
Sapa-AFP
- SAPA