Ex-army chief owns 'arsenal'

2004-06-27 11:24

Matefu Mokoena

Johannesburg - Top Lesotho politician Major-General Metsing Lekhanya has admitted to the police that a batch of unlicensed firearms confiscated from a 45-year-old South African man belonged to him.

Lekhanya, an ex-army chief, is the leader of the Basotho National Party in Lesotho and led a military coup 18 years ago that toppled Chief Leabua Jonathan.

Eastern Free State police spokesperson Captain Motarafi Ntepe said Lekhanya told the police he had given the 17 firearms to Ian Pretorius to sell in South Africa on his behalf.

Lekhanya said he wanted to sell the guns because he no longer needed them. He had asked Pretorius to find a buyer in South Africa.

Lekhanya said the guns had been given to him as gifts while he was still the army chief, Ntepe said.

Pretorius was arrested for allegedly being in possession of 18 unlicensed firearms while travelling from Bloemfontein to Ladybrand a week ago. His car, a white Mercedes-Benz, carried Gauteng registration numbers.

Police made the arrest after receiving information that he was in possession of unlicensed firearms.

Ntepe said police investigations revealed that one firearm belonged to a deceased person while the remaining 17 were from Lekhanya.

Pretorius appeared in court on Thursday for a bail application. His case was postponed to Monday after he indicated he needed to apply for legal assistance.

Pretorius's lawyer withdrew from the case last week after he failed to pay him.

- City Press