Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MASERU224
2009-07-08 08:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT: SOUTH AFRICA ACKNOWLEDGES EXTRADITION

Tags:  PGOV LT 
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VZCZCXRO1436
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0224 1890807
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080807Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4255
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4684
UNCLAS MASERU 000224 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/S
PRETORIA FOR DATT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV LT
SUBJECT: ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT: SOUTH AFRICA ACKNOWLEDGES EXTRADITION
REQUEST RECEIVED

REF: Maseru 222

UNCLAS MASERU 000224

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/S
PRETORIA FOR DATT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV LT
SUBJECT: ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT: SOUTH AFRICA ACKNOWLEDGES EXTRADITION
REQUEST RECEIVED

REF: Maseru 222


1. (SBU) National Security Service (NSS) and Lesotho Mounted
Police Service (LMPS) sources notified post that on July 7,
Makotoko Lerotholi attended a court hearing in Pretoria related
to Lesotho's request to extradite him to stand trial in relation
to the April 22 assassination attempt on the Prime Minister. At
this hearing, the judge postponed his case until August 25,
2009, to allow Lerotholi's lawyers time to review the documents
submitted to support the extradition request. The GOL stated in
the request that Lerotholi will be charged with two counts of
attempted murder.




2. (SBU) The NSS and LMPS also stated that despite their
repeated requests to the South African Police Service (SAPS),
they were not allowed to interview Lerotholi while he was in
police custody. According to them, Jesse Ramakatane, alleged
mastermind of the attack on the Prime Minister, remains at
large, as the SAPS is unable to locate him.




3. (SBU) Comment: The earlier confusion over whether the GOL
had requested Lerotholi's extradition (reftel) may have simply
been a miscommunication between the various elements of the SAG.
However, the conflict between the GOL and the local South
African High Commissioner on this issue is likely to only
increase the tension in the relationship between the GOL and the
SAG.

POWER