Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MASERU235
2006-05-17 10:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

UPDATE ON FOREIGN MINISTER'S SHOOTING INCIDENT

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM LT 
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VZCZCXRO7702
RR RUEHDU RUEHJO
DE RUEHMR #0235 1371051
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171051Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2046
INFO RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0017
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2318
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
UNCLAS MASERU 000235 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RANGOON FOR PATRICK MURPHY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM LT
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON FOREIGN MINISTER'S SHOOTING INCIDENT

REF: A) MASERU 187 B) MASERU 124 C) MASERU 089 D) MASERU 085 E) MASERU 59

F) MASERU 51

UNCLAS MASERU 000235

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RANGOON FOR PATRICK MURPHY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM LT
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON FOREIGN MINISTER'S SHOOTING INCIDENT

REF: A) MASERU 187 B) MASERU 124 C) MASERU 089 D) MASERU 085 E) MASERU 59

F) MASERU 51


1. As the saga around the shooting of Foreign Minister
Moleleki in January this year continues, a local newspaper, "
Public Eye " May 12, 2006 issue, has revealed that the vehicle
the minister was traveling in at the time of his controversial
shooting on January 29 2006, bore South African High Commission
diplomatic registration plates. This is contrary to initial
claims that the vehicle the minister was using on the
afore-mentioned night was in fact his official vehicle.


2. According to Public Eye, the Lesotho Mounted Police
Service (LMPS) Public Relations Officer confirmed that Moleleki
had bought the vehicle from the South African High Commission.
However, the police were unable to explain why the vehicle still
carried the diplomatic plates. Public Eye also reported that
the South African High Commissioner (Chief of Mission),William
Leslie, was unavailable for comment regarding the purchase of
the vehicle. The LMPS spokeman added that investigations into
the minister's shooting are continuing. He added that they are
positive the probe will bear fruit.


3. Comment: This latest information regarding the Minister's
vehicle has added to speculation and puzzled the general public.
More and more observers are beginning to form their own opinions
about the " Moleleki riddle." This latest disclosure has
exacerbated the situation further. Most observers are inclined
to believe that the story Moleleki gave to the police could not
have been accurate. Note: There have been rumors of an imminent
cabinet reshuffle but there are no clear indications when this
will take place, and whether it will affect certain key
ministries including Foreign Affairs.

PERRY