/ 22 September 1998

‘Intervention not a military solution’ — Buthelezi

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Tuesday 4.00pm.

THE military intervention in Lesotho is meant to help a lasting political solution, and not to impose a military solution, acting President Mangosutho Buthelezi told Parliament on Tuesday.

“The aim of the intervention is to restore stability as quickly as possible and to withdraw from the Kingdom of Lesotho as soon as this has been achieved,” he said, emphasizing that the Southern African Development Community has said coups d’etats will not be tolerated in the region.

Lesotho troops have rebelled against the elected government.

Buthelezi said the parties in the Lesotho conflict have agreed to meet on Wednesday.

South African cabinet ministers and defence chiefs were in a crisis meeting on Tuesday afternoon, following the deaths of three South African soldiers.

The 600 South African troops crossed the border at dawn at the request of embattled Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili and in the name of the SADC, following unrest prompted by allegations of election rigging. The SANDF action was ordered by Buthelezi.

The SA National Defence Force soldiers met fierce resistance from Lesotho Defence Force members supporting the Lesotho opposition, leading to running battles in Maseru, also involving anti-government protesters. Heavy fighting and rebel casualties have been reported around the Katse dam.

“Your forces cannot just walk in like this without due parliamentary approval. Our people hate South Africans, they hate President Nelson Mandela,” opposition coalition spokeswoman Mamelo Morrison said.

The SANDF said it intends capturing the army mutineers and handing them to Lesotho authorities.

King Letsie III is safe and under the protection of South African troops in his Maseru palace, according to the SANDF.

Meanwhile South African stores and cars in Maseru have been attacked and burnt, along with government buildings and ministers’ homes. Looting has been reported.