Lesotho insists its citizens undergoing military-style training to reclaim land in South Africa

Authorities in the Kingdom of Lesotho insist they have credible information about Basotho undergoing military-style training in certain farms within South Africa, as part of the growing campaign to fight for the contentious land in South Africa's provinces.

The land being claimed includes parts of Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

Earlier this month, a Lesotho member of parliament, Dr Tshepo Lipholo, leader of the Basotho Covenant Movement, a political party that has been leading the charge in demanding the return of Lesotho’s "stolen land" which is part of current-day South Africa, was arrested and charged in the mountain kingdom.

Lipholo faces serious charges, including sedition and incitement. He is also accused of violating the dignity and reputation of Lesotho's royal family by allegedly declaring himself the “paramount chief of Basotholand” and encouraging young Basotho to prepare for armed struggle. 

It is alleged that audio clips circulating on social media platforms prove these claims.

Lipholo has been leading the charge, calling for certain sections of South Africa to be declared Lesotho's territory. Limpholo wants the land to be returned to the governance of Lesotho.

Earlier this year, Lipholo travelled to the United Nations, where he submitted a claim that seeks to reclaim land lost during the colonial era.

However, Lesotho’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations distanced itself from Lipholo, stating he was acting on his own agenda, and the UN trip was not sanctioned by the Maseru government.

This week, national commissioner of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), advocate Borotho Matsoso, told Newzroom Afrika that the information regarding the military-style training of Basotho in South Africa is credible.

Matsoso said the militant group calls itself Malata Naha (land reclaimers) is active within the borders of South Africa and seems to be “ready to take over”.

“It is not necessarily young Basotho, but Basotho nationals of different ages, we have discovered that they have been recruited to join this military training in some of the farms in South Africa. This is what we have come across. 

He added that the programme has the possibility of disrupting peace and security in the region.

Some South African citizens, according to Matsoso, have been sucked into the military-style training programme at unidentified farms.

Last week, Prime Minister of Lesotho, Samuel Matekane issued a statement following the arrest of Lipholo, adding that his government had uncovered that the ongoing actions were intended to disrupt peace, security, and national stability.

The land at the heart of the contended areas was historically inhabited by Basotho, people from southern Africa’s Bantu ethnic group, who represent the ultimate majority of Lesotho nationals.

Last year, a motion was put before parliament in Lesotho, seeking to reclaim large swaths of land from South Africa. The motion seeks to have the Lesotho parliament declare the entire Free State province, which borders Lesotho, and other areas in South Africa, as part of the small mountain kingdom, surrounded by South Africa.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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