LESOTHO: COURT REINSTATES CITIZENSHIP OF GOL CRITIC

UNCLAS MASERU 000598

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S; GABORONE FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ASEC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: COURT REINSTATES CITIZENSHIP OF GOL CRITIC

REF: A) MASERU 577; B) MASERU 500


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Lesotho's High Court, in a high-profile case
which had become a cause celebre within opposition circles, has
reversed a GOL decision to strip the citizenship of the Reverend
Adam Lekhoaba, a controversial local radio presenter and harsh
critic of the government. In addition to immediately resuming
his radio broadcasts, Lekhoaba gave the opening prayer at a
November 4 opposition rally -- an early sign that he'll likely
remain a strong voice for the opposition, bolstered by his
"persecuted" status. The High Court's surprising ruling
continues to demonstrate judicial independence in the Mountain
Kingdom. END SUMMARY.



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The Reverend Is A Mosotho Again

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2. (U) On October 26, Lesotho's High Court found in favor of the
Reverend Adam Lekhoaba, a controversial radio presenter,
returning to him his Lesotho citizenship. Lekhoaba, whom
security officials deported to South Africa in May 2007 after
the Lesotho's Ministry of Home Affairs declared him to be an
illegal alien (reftel A),immediately resumed his hosting of a
popular morning talk show on opposition-oriented radio station
Harvest FM.




3. (SBU) On October 30, Lekhoaba, during an unannounced visit to
Embassy Maseru, made a calm but emotionally charged plea to
Poloff to influence the GOL to drop high treason charges against
several citizens of Lesotho (reftel B). He noted that the GOL
had recovered all weapons stolen in July 2007 attacks on
ministerial residences, and had not linked those weapons to the
three men who are in self-imposed exile in South Africa.
Lekhoaba also sought support for the replacement of the radio
station's transmitter, originally donated by a U.S. religious
group.




4. (U) Claiming his unofficial role as "minister to the
opposition," Reverend Lekhoaba delivered an opening prayer to an
opposition All Basotho Convention (ABC) rally on November 4.
Even in prayer, Lekhoaba remained critical of the government and
a firm supporter of the opposition cause.



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Judicial Independence Displayed Again

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5. (SBU) COMMENT: Reverend Lekhoaba appears certain to remain a
high profile mainstay of the opposition circuit for the
immediate future. Born and raised in Lesotho, Lekhoaba's family
relocated to South Africa during military rule in Lesotho -- the
legal basis of the GOL's decision to deport him following his
sharply critical broadcasts during a post-election political
impasse. Lekhoaba's surprising court victory against the GOL to
regain his citizenship is more evidence of the continued
independence of Lesotho's judiciary. END COMMENT.

NOLAN