LESOTHO: TAXI TROUBLE BLOCKS GOVERNMENT BUSES

UNCLAS MASERU 000151

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: TAXI TROUBLE BLOCKS GOVERNMENT BUSES


1. SUMMARY: On the morning of May 20, private taxi drivers and
owners attempted to block GOL-owned buses from operating in
Maseru, the latest clash over government efforts to undercut the
ability of taxi associations to paralyze public transport. The
May 20 confrontation, at which police fired warning shots and
tear gas, comes after taxi owners successfully shut down Maseru
in 2007 in an effort to pressure the GOL in the midst of a
political impasse over the distribution of parliamentary seats.
The taxi operators' actions, based on their own narrow financial
interests, are likely to hurt rather than help their cause. END
SUMMARY.

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Taxi Trouble Blocks Buses
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2. On the morning of May 20, private taxi drivers and owners
attempted to block GOL buses at Ha Ts'osane, just north of
central Maseru, in the latest clash over government efforts to
break the grip of taxi owners on public transportation in the
capital. Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) officers arrived
on the scene, discharged firearms, and used tear gas to disperse
the group of private taxi owners who were obstructing the buses.
No injuries were reported. Claiming that the GOL buses do not
have proper permits and that the taxi owners have not been
consulted about the new GOL routes, the private transportation
owners reiterated their intention to stop the GOL buses from
operating.

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A Checkered Political Background
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3. In March and December 2007, Lesotho's political opposition,
led by the All Basotho Convention (ABC),called two general
strikes designed to put pressure on the GOL in the context of a
political impasse over the distribution of parliamentary seats.
These strikes, or "stay-aways," were observed and enforced by
Maseru's taxi associations - groups known for their strong
opposition ties. As the majority of Maseru's work force uses
private taxis for their daily commute, taxi owners proved their
ability in March to shut down the city. The December action
fizzled, however, due to diminished public enthusiasm for
political action during the end-of-year holiday season.


4. On January 30, taxi owners publicly protested government
plans to purchase buses, primarily to transport civil servants,
claiming that the move would harm their livelihoods. On April
30, Minister of Public Works and Transport Ts'ele Chakela and
Principal Secretary Lebohang Phooko received a fleet of twenty
new buses at the Maseru bridge border post. Heavily armed LMPS
Special Operations officers were present at the bus' arrival,
while chanting Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD, the
governing party) supporters gave the event political overtones.

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Speeding Down the Wrong Lane
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5. COMMENT: The taxi drivers' actions at Ha Ts'osane are
likely to detract from their public support, and by extension,
that of Lesotho's political opposition. While the public may
find fault with some of the GOL's political maneuvers, the use
of government buses to transport civil servants, who comprise
the largest body of employees in the country, and other workers
is likely to be quite popular. The taxi operators' actions,
based on their own narrow financial interests and past political
miscalculations, could hurt rather than help their cause. END
COMMENT.

MURPHY