Caught like thugs behind enemy lines

Last week photos of our soldiers who were caught in criminal acts behind enemy lines went viral on social media. The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) issued a statement to try and control the damage. I understand the institution was doing damage control but the statement left a bad taste in my mouth. This was such a bad operation. The Lesotho army does a commendable job of safeguarding our borders in a bid to protect our property, and this is something we ought to be grateful for. Their presence in and around the areas that confine our territory is a necessity to curb criminality occurring along these lines and also from spilling into our country. The various issues that our army deals with around our borders include illegal crossings, the smuggling of marijuana, and transnational stock-theft between Lesotho and its only neighbour South Africa. That is why we are deeply concerned when our army encounters problems like what happened last week in Matatiele, a town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The Lesotho army reports that the soldiers were taking part in a cattle raid when they were arrested by South African authorities. However, what actually transpired during this operation is inconsistent with the norm as these Basotho soldiers failed to observe the procedures that ordinarily occur when such operations are undertaken. For example the correct process would have been to inform the South African authorities of their intentions in their country beforehand to avoid surprises. Moreover the Basotho soldiers would be expected to provide evidence to their South African counterparts that the cattle they were targeting, were indeed stolen from Lesotho, for purposes of verification and to gain approval from South Africans, to retrieve the livestock. Thus the fact that these Basotho soldiers decided to go on this mission alone, without informing their neighbours, gives the impression their activities were rogue and they themselves were entangled in criminal acts. This situation is not only embarrassing as it depicts our military as both unprofessional, and potentially criminal. Another factor that cast a shadow of doubt over this operation is that when cornered by South African authorities, the Basotho soldiers responded by resisting arrest. They also exchanged fire with their South African counterparts, a response that is characteristic of what criminals would do. Lastly it should also be considered that the occurrence of cattle theft along this border is not one sided, as South Africans steal cattle from Lesotho, just as Basotho steal from them. Hence it is only natural that when faced with the presence of unknown assailants, attempting to capture cattle in their territory, the South Africans would also try to arrest them. It is also essential to note that these occurrences may create a sense of distrust and animosity between the army we have entrusted to protect our borders, and their South African counterparts. This might in effect, impinge on future efforts by these entities, to work together. In addition we ought to be worried, that those with the most to lose are farmers susceptible to cattle theft that live along our borders if relations between us and South Africa regarding this matter sour. Furthermore stock-theft is and has always been rife in places such as Mosaqane in Qacha’s Nek. Farmers in such areas are bound to be disadvantaged by this saga and it is especially problematic considering that cattle theft already occurs in these areas, despite these recent events. Now, I wonder if cattle thieves will not take advantage of the confusion ensuing, due to knowledge that those appointed to stop them are at loggerheads. I want to narrate the story the LDF chose not to tell the nation. Our soldiers went to South Africa under the deception of Lesotho thieves claiming that one South African thief had stolen their cattle in the past and they wanted to get them back. As we all know thieves have no moral conduct, and cannot trust each other. One other thief in Lesotho informed their South African counterparts that Lesotho criminals aided by soldiers were planning an operation. The South African thief then informed the South African police and the army. So our soldiers walked into a trap. They managed to get the cattle but on their way back found the South African army and police. They exchanged fire thinking the South African thieves were attempting to recover their cattle but when they realised that they were actually exchanging fire with the army and police, they ran away. Two soldiers managed to flee to Lesotho while the other two were caught trying to run away. If indeed these cattle were stolen why didn’t we take proper channels to reclaim these cattle? It will interest you to know that in 2016 the army collected a dead soldier in the same area. Given the historical background on operations in this area the LDF should have exercised extreme caution. Who actually sanctioned this particular operation? Did the station manager approve this operation? They should account fully. Our country has had joint operations with South Africa in the past. We do it all the time. I once read about Operation Maluti, an operation that was carried out by officials from Lesotho and South Africa. They successfully managed to recover livestock. It is strange that Lesotho officials no longer trust South African officials. A lot of Basotho seem agitated by the fact that their military men were arrested in South Africa. However, before rallying behind our countrymen, by questioning their apprehension by South African authorities for returning what is ours, we must also regard their conduct, and how it contributed to this predicament. Furthermore we ought to empathise with our South African counterparts and consider how we would feel if soldiers from another country, singlehandedly embarked on a mission to retrieve property in our territory, without our knowledge and bypassing already existing channels. Furthermore, we should also ask ourselves had tables been turned, wouldn’t we consider this a disrespect to the sovereignty that most of us Basotho hold so dear? Ramahooana matlosa