Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MASERU152
2008-05-21 14:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: BRAZEN CARJACKING AND FIREFIGHT STARTLES MASERU
how-toVZCZCXRO9810 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0152 1421449 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 211449Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3697 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4116
UNCLAS MASERU 000152
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PREL LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: BRAZEN CARJACKING AND FIREFIGHT STARTLES MASERU
REF: A) MASERU 142; AND B) MASERU 151
UNCLAS MASERU 000152
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PREL LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: BRAZEN CARJACKING AND FIREFIGHT STARTLES MASERU
REF: A) MASERU 142; AND B) MASERU 151
1. According to eyewitness accounts, at approximately 6:00 p.m.
on the evening of Tuesday, May 20, there was a heavy exchange of
gunfire near the Maseru Cathedral traffic circle in the central
business of the capital city. Employees of a U.S.-based NGO
located at an adjacent office building took cover at their
offices during the barrage of shots. The representative of a
local security firm subsequently informed Emboffs that a group
of four armed men had attempted to carjack a private vehicle
that had stopped in heavy traffic near the circle. After
failing, one attacker pulled the driver of a nearby taxi out of
his car, causing panic among the taxi's passengers and nearby
pedestrians. Two off-duty soldiers in a small private truck
exchanged considerable fire with the attackers, who escaped, and
no injuries were reported.
2. COMMENT: There is currently no basis to link the May 20
carjacking attempt to a May 13 attack on military and police
units (ref A) or a May 19 confrontation between taxi drivers and
law enforcement authorities (ref B). These incidents have,
however, cumulatively increased anxiety among local residents
who perceive a recent sharp increase in criminal activity.
Although carjackings occur in Lesotho, the brazen downtown armed
attack on May 20 during rush hour is unusual. There is no
evidence that U.S. interests or members of the international
community have been targeted during these recent security
incidents. Post nonetheless issued security and warden notices
on May 21 informing mission staff and U.S. citizens of the
carjacking event (most employees were already aware, following
activation of the mission phone tree on the evening of May 20)
and advising that driving be minimized after dark. END COMMENT.
MURPHY
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PREL LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: BRAZEN CARJACKING AND FIREFIGHT STARTLES MASERU
REF: A) MASERU 142; AND B) MASERU 151
1. According to eyewitness accounts, at approximately 6:00 p.m.
on the evening of Tuesday, May 20, there was a heavy exchange of
gunfire near the Maseru Cathedral traffic circle in the central
business of the capital city. Employees of a U.S.-based NGO
located at an adjacent office building took cover at their
offices during the barrage of shots. The representative of a
local security firm subsequently informed Emboffs that a group
of four armed men had attempted to carjack a private vehicle
that had stopped in heavy traffic near the circle. After
failing, one attacker pulled the driver of a nearby taxi out of
his car, causing panic among the taxi's passengers and nearby
pedestrians. Two off-duty soldiers in a small private truck
exchanged considerable fire with the attackers, who escaped, and
no injuries were reported.
2. COMMENT: There is currently no basis to link the May 20
carjacking attempt to a May 13 attack on military and police
units (ref A) or a May 19 confrontation between taxi drivers and
law enforcement authorities (ref B). These incidents have,
however, cumulatively increased anxiety among local residents
who perceive a recent sharp increase in criminal activity.
Although carjackings occur in Lesotho, the brazen downtown armed
attack on May 20 during rush hour is unusual. There is no
evidence that U.S. interests or members of the international
community have been targeted during these recent security
incidents. Post nonetheless issued security and warden notices
on May 21 informing mission staff and U.S. citizens of the
carjacking event (most employees were already aware, following
activation of the mission phone tree on the evening of May 20)
and advising that driving be minimized after dark. END COMMENT.
MURPHY