Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MASERU269
2006-06-06 15:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
MURDER OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
VZCZCXRO9626 PP RUEHMR DE RUEHMR #0269 1571508 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P R 061508Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2092 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2369
C O N F I D E N T I A L MASERU 000269
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/6/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM LT
SUBJECT: MURDER OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
REF: (A) MASERU 265 (B) MASERU 260
CLASSIFIED BY: June Carter Perry, Ambassador, EXEC , STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MASERU 000269
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/6/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM LT
SUBJECT: MURDER OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
REF: (A) MASERU 265 (B) MASERU 260
CLASSIFIED BY: June Carter Perry, Ambassador, EXEC , STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) We have learned that Prime Minister Mosisili revealed
during the June 6 Cabinet meeting that he had enlisted the South
African Police and Intelligence Unit to resolve the June 2
assassination of opposition leader Bereng Sekhonyana. The
Foreign Minister thought the investigation would be completed
over the next 6-8 weeks. According to the Foreign Minister, the
Prime Minister has asked the South African police to also
complete the investigation of the January attack on the Foreign
Minister as well as the murder of Mosisili's son several years
ago. The Foreign Minister says the GOL fears that the Lesotho
police force is heavily infiltrated with members of the BNP
opposition and has therefore been dragging its feet on a series
of investigations over the past few years.
2. (C) The killing of Mr. Sekhonyana is being viewed as an
internal BNP affair and to demonstrate the concern of the
government over such a crime, the Prime Minister is expected to
pay his condolences to the family of Mr. Sekhonyana late in the
afternoon of June 6. As indicated reftel, the Deputy Prime
Minister has clearly signaled the diplomatic corps that such
crimes will not go unpunished, that the state must act with
speed, find the collaborators and seize illegal weapons that
seem to proliferate on the streets of Maseru. The GOL wants the
above matter resolved as soon as possible given the
pre-electoral period that is already here and the primaries that
will be taking place over the next several months in advance of
the April 2007 national elections.
PERRY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/6/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM LT
SUBJECT: MURDER OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
REF: (A) MASERU 265 (B) MASERU 260
CLASSIFIED BY: June Carter Perry, Ambassador, EXEC , STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) We have learned that Prime Minister Mosisili revealed
during the June 6 Cabinet meeting that he had enlisted the South
African Police and Intelligence Unit to resolve the June 2
assassination of opposition leader Bereng Sekhonyana. The
Foreign Minister thought the investigation would be completed
over the next 6-8 weeks. According to the Foreign Minister, the
Prime Minister has asked the South African police to also
complete the investigation of the January attack on the Foreign
Minister as well as the murder of Mosisili's son several years
ago. The Foreign Minister says the GOL fears that the Lesotho
police force is heavily infiltrated with members of the BNP
opposition and has therefore been dragging its feet on a series
of investigations over the past few years.
2. (C) The killing of Mr. Sekhonyana is being viewed as an
internal BNP affair and to demonstrate the concern of the
government over such a crime, the Prime Minister is expected to
pay his condolences to the family of Mr. Sekhonyana late in the
afternoon of June 6. As indicated reftel, the Deputy Prime
Minister has clearly signaled the diplomatic corps that such
crimes will not go unpunished, that the state must act with
speed, find the collaborators and seize illegal weapons that
seem to proliferate on the streets of Maseru. The GOL wants the
above matter resolved as soon as possible given the
pre-electoral period that is already here and the primaries that
will be taking place over the next several months in advance of
the April 2007 national elections.
PERRY