Lesotho violence 'unacceptable'

2007-06-21 18:27

Pretoria - Violence could not be used to try and destabilise Lesotho, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad said on Thursday.

At a media briefing at the Union Buildings, Pahad said South Africa wanted to see the situation in its neighbouring country return to normal.

"We would call on those that are reverting to violence not to think they will be able to destabilise the situation by using violent tactics," he said.

An indefinite curfew has been imposed in Lesotho's capital, Maseru, following a series of night attacks by gunmen targeting senior political figures and their bodyguards.

Six ministerial bodyguards were attacked and disarmed by unknown gunmen and in the past few weeks in what was seen as politically motivated actions.

Opposition leader Tom Thabane's home was attacked, as were some homes of other Lesotho cabinet members.

Tension in the small mountain kingdom has increased since disputed elections in February.

'Decisive action'

The allocation of parliamentary seats following the elections on the basis of a proportional vote system had led to several complaints from parties in Lesotho.

On Thursday, Pahad said Lesotho's courts should address these complaints.

This echoed Lesotho's Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili view on the unhappiness over the elections when he met with President Thabo Mbeki in Cape Town earlier in the week.

Pahad said "decisive action" was needed from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders appointed to working towards resolving the issue.

- SAPA