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…says the military would never torture lawyers
…but vows to crack down on prominent gangsters
Morosi Zian
The Army Commander, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsola, said the army would never target lawyers and judges as they play a key role in the administration of justice in the country. The army also fully respects the rule of law and the role of judicial officials in strengthening the rule of law.
The Army chief spoke out in a clarification of his deputy’s statement, saying the military should “teach defense lawyers and judgesreputationA lesson for “gangsters”.
He said the statement had been “misinterpreted” to mean that soldiers were threatening to harm practicing lawyers, but that the statement meant that practicing lawyers should be protected because of their importance in the judiciary and the rule of law.
televisionThe fiery deputy army commander, Maj. Gen. Matla Matobakele, said two weeks ago that judges and lawyers were standing in the way of the Left Democratic Front’s fight against rampant killings by militants.reputationGang. HesuggestiondayexistThese lawyers need to “get a taste of the bitter pill”Also under attack.
Major General Mato Bakele made the stunning speech during a ceremony to welcome the third Leipzig delegation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on July 31, 2024 at the Makoyane Military Camp in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.
This hasirritationLesotho Bar Association says constitution guarantees human rights to everyonesThe military has no power to handle this matter on its own.“When the court finds guiltyOr otherofyesThe Defendant”.
thisOn August 7, 2024, Lesotho Lawyers for Human Rights (LLHR) petitioned Lieutenant General Letesola, giving him a seven-day ultimatum to control Major General Matobakele or face legal consequences.
This prompted Lt. Gen. Letsoela to convene a meeting of the Bar Association, LLHR and civil society groups at Ratjomose military camp on Tuesday.
LDF Command PostSurpriseLieutenant General Letesola, Major General Matobaklay, Major General Lamanka Mokaloba, Brigadier General Diamond Michael Matamane,Poosa Stemmere, Khomo Mohobo and Force Sergeant Major Pita Qhaola were present.
They met with Bar Association President Lawyer Lintle Tuke, Deputy Lawyer Mokhoro Makara, Attorney General’s Chambers Lawyer Letsie Moshoeshoe, Prime Minister’s Office Chief of Staff Sofonea Shale, Parliamentary Affairs Coordinator Khosi Makubakube, Lesotho NGO Council Human Rights and Democracy Commissioner Seinoli Mohale and Peace Education Development Organisation’s Lemohang Molibeli.
However, the LLHR did not attend. It expressed concern about the letter from Lt. Gen. Letsoela inviting them to the meeting. It said the letter demonstrated the Army Commander’s misunderstanding of the National Security and Rule of Law Act. However, the LLHR did not prohibit other parties from continuing to attend the meeting, hoping that the meeting would “adequately address/eliminate the harmful impact of Maj. Gen. Matobakele’s remarks on the rule of law”.
Lieutenant GeneralLesola used the opportunity to clarify that Maj. Gen. Matobakele did not threaten the legal profession;“Emotions may have taken over”When heoneAsk people if they are unaware of the disasterreputationHe therefore apologized for any harm or inconvenience that the statement may have caused.
“I am grateful for the letter from Adv (Napo) Mafaesa (LLHR), which shocked me because it is the first time I have received such a letter in my five years in office… The content of the letter made us sit down and decide to have this meeting as an army command. We know where we are in the governance of this country.
“We have had some high-profile cases involving soldiers that require the services of lawyers to implement the rule of law. The rule of law is about individual human rights and their protection.
“Lawyers are important, so I try to attendFatherMafaesa’s letter. I called him and asked for a meeting, which he readily agreed to. The speech was misinterpreted and I realize that this caused a lot of confusion. We are grateful for this interaction.
“When the main rights and freedoms of citizens and the state borders are protected, the territorial integrity and political independence of the country will be protected. Our policy is open and very transparent to you.
“The Left Democratic Front pledged that we will not threaten anyone who remains in this country, regardless of their status. We will not threaten lawyers and judges. We must not prevent justice but protect it.
“We have seen the impact of that statement and the turmoil it has brought. I acknowledge that emotions do fluctuate but I pledge to reiterate that we are the hope of the nation and we cannot bring shame to the image of the Lesotho Defence Force. We therefore appeal to those who may be affected to remain peaceful. The incident was not intentional. We are servants and must serve Lesotho, His Majesty the King and his people,” said Lt. Gen. Lesola.
The Bar Association welcomed the move, saying the meeting would help clear up any misunderstandings about Maj. Gen. Matobakele’s remarks.
“What we have received from the army command is that their commitment remains steadfast in protecting democracy and all its institutions…
“We are even more pleased to see the Chief of Defence Staff convene this meeting to reaffirm the military’s commitment to the rule of law and express his commitment to good relations with all stakeholders,” Adv Makara said.
Lawyer Tuke said the Bar would not tolerate any form of criminality, especially the rampant killings in the country. However, dealing with criminals should be done according to the law.
Lieutenant General Lesola also took the opportunity to talk aboutFameThe killings have paralyzed the country. He said the army will not tolerate such rampant killings and is developing a strategy to tackle the problem.
“We are here because of this criminal crisis that has paralyzed the country. Human rights defenders have remained silent on this issue, but those whoreputationGangs) have no boundaries…
“Someone will tell us he killed 11 people and I happen to know those people. But that person could still be alive and go on to kill more people. That’s the role lawyers and judicial administrators should play, and we are in the middle…”
The army chief added: “We are surrounded by South Africa and our relations are good… but we are still worried because these people (reputationThere are gangs across the border, they live over there, trying to have a better life, but they commit crimes here and then flee over there.
“They are able to establish bases here and there in South Africa. We are currently planning how to deal with them. We don’t care what they do in South Africa, but we cannot tolerate them having guns and killing people here.”
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