LESOTHO: NSS UPDATES ON ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT INVESTIGATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L MASERU 000141 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/S, DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA PRETORIA FOR DATT CAPE TOWN FOR SEEKER E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/7/2019 TAGS: ASEC PGOV LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO: NSS UPDATES ON ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT INVESTIGATION REF: MASERU 129 CLASSIFIED BY: Elizabeth C. Power, Deputy Chief of Mission. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Sources within the National Security Service (NSS) provided the Embassy with an update on the investigations into the recent assassination attempt of the Prime Minister (reftel). According to the NSS Director of External Operations, the South African Police Service (SAPS) informed them on Wednesday, May 6, that camouflaged uniforms and a bulletproof vest had been discovered on a farm in South Africa along the northern Lesotho border. NSS officers have crossed into South Africa to view the items discovered in order to ascertain if they are similar to the items discovered in Lesotho following the attack. The NSS stressed that they prefer a joint operation with South African security services during the farm search in South Africa in order to ensure that their interests are covered. ¶2. (C) The Embassy was also informed that the five Mozambicans arrested in South Africa remain in custody and apparently will face charges of terrorism and possession of illegal arms. These five men also each face six months imprisonment or a fine of 600 rand (approximately $71) for violating immigration laws. The other two men in South African custody are reported to be South African citizens. They will appear before a magistrate on May 22, 2009, to face similar charges as the Mozambicans; in addition, these two men were also wanted on previous charges of robbery and murder. ¶3. (C) Contrary to GOL statements, the NSS emphasized that the April 22 attacks in Maseru were not politically motivated. Our source insists that this was simply the work of two disgruntled Lesotho nationals. He mentioned two suspects: Makotoko Lerotholi, who claimed he was unfairly dismissed from the army in 1998, and Jersey Ramakatane, a businessman who is allegedly angry with the Lesotho government for now awarding him tenders he had bid on. The NSS contact stated that their investigations are centered on these two men. He also said that the two suspects arrested in Lesotho revealed that they were promised on million Maloti (approximately $119,000) for participating in the attacks in Lesotho. He indicated that he had not yet seen the full interrogation reports, but promised to provide additional details as soon as they become available. NOLAN