DEFENCE Minister Joe Modise on Thursday confirmed South Africa will withdraw its troops from Lesotho, SABC radio news reported. Modise said the situation in Lesotho has stabilised. South African troops have been in Lesotho since September last year as part of a Southern African Development Community peacekeeping force along with Botswana. Speaking in Pretoria, Modise said the troop withdrawal was discussed with Botswana, which earlier announced it will withdraw its troops by the end of this month. Modise said a small contingent of instructors and support units will remain in Lesotho until the country’s defence force is rebuilt and able to maintain security.