Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MASERU155
2008-05-27 14:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

LESOTHO: TAXI PROTESTERS GIVE GOL ULTIMATUM

Tags:  ASEC CASC PGOV PREL LT 
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VZCZCXRO3970
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0155 1481435
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271435Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3700
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4119
UNCLAS MASERU 000155 

SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PREL LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: TAXI PROTESTERS GIVE GOL ULTIMATUM

REF: MASERU 151

UNCLAS MASERU 000155

SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PREL LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: TAXI PROTESTERS GIVE GOL ULTIMATUM

REF: MASERU 151


1. On the morning of May 26, the Maseru Taxi Association's
Regional Committee led a group of several thousand members and
supporters to protest their dissatisfaction with the recent
introduction of Government of Lesotho bus services (reftel),
disrupting public transportation for about three hours. About
1,000 taxi owners and operators parked their vehicles near
Maseru's Convention Center and marched into central business and
government districts, where their numbers grew to approximately
3,000 participants. A small delegation of association
representatives delivered a petition letter to Maseru's acting
traffic commissioner before proceeding to the Ministry of
Transportation, delivering a similar letter to Deputy Principal
Secretary Mokete. According to local observers, several
marchers vandalized cars on their return route, although the
event was generally peaceful. Normal taxi services resumed at
approximately 1:30 p.m.


2. According to local sources, the taxi petition included three
demands: 1) the resignation of Minister of Public Works and
Transport Tsele Chakela; 2) consultations with taxi operators on
the routes and operations of GOL buses; and 3) lowering of
recently raised taxi registration fees. The petition demanded
that the Government respond to the petition letter by June 2;
absent a satisfactory response the Taxi Association signaled its
intent to take further action, including a general strike.
Several political opposition strikes ("stay-aways") in 2007,
which the Taxi Association actively supported, essentially shut
down much of the Maseru economy and also disrupted intercity
transportation. The 2007 strikes, accompanied by intimidation
and isolated violence, motivated the GOL to purchase its own
buses earlier this year in order to transport civil servants and
other workers (reftel).

MURPHY