24 Apr 2020

The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, this morning met with Mr Jeff Radebe, a special envoy of South Africa president, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.

Mr Radebe and his delegation met President Masisi at the State House for closed talks.

Mr Ramaphosa appointed Mr Radebe in his capacity as the SADC facilitator for Lesotho to investigate latest developments in the Mountain Kingdom.

He met President Masisi by virtue of the latter being the incoming chairperson of the SADC organ on Politics, Defence and Security.

The delegation arrived in Gaborone after a similar meeting with incumbent chairperson of the organ and  Zimbabwe president, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday.

Mr Radebe said he was hopeful that the volatile political situation in Lesotho would be a thing of the past and that Prime Minister Thomas Thabane had indicated his desire to vacate office.

“He had indicated his desire to leave and the process is to be completed, a smooth transition. Troops are back in the barracks and we await peace,” he added.

Mr Radebe said the National Assembly had enacted necessary legislation and they were awaiting the senate to pass an enabling constitutional amendment and finalise the resignation process.

The South African delegation travelled to Lesotho on Monday (April 20) where they met Lesotho’s main political and civic leaders. Ends