JOHANNESBURG – Lesotho’s military on Saturday denied it had seized power, a spokesman told South African television, despite the prime minister’s claims of a coup.
Instead, the army’s operation was aimed only at disarming police which were preparing to provide arms to certain political parties in Lesotho, military spokesman Major Ntele Ntoi told the ANN7 news channel.
However, Clayson Monyela, spokesman for Department of International Relations and Cooperation South Africa (DIRCO) said that the action in Lesotho bears the hallmarks of a coup d’etat.
At a press conference held at the OR Tambo building in Pretoria on Saturday, Monyela said, “We are engaging all the role players in the kingdom of Lesotho. (We will) dialogue with all of them.”
He said SADC cannot tolerate unconstitutional taking over of government.
“We can’t have coup d’etats in 2014,” he said.
“The situation is still unfolding and we are monitoring what is going on.
“I’m sure you have not heard anyone say they have taken over power,” he continued.
When asked if South Africa was considering sending military assistance to Lesotho, he said that South Africa’s stance was to give diplomacy a chance.
“(Dialogue) is how we deal with problems in South Africa,” he said.
“Our interest is to see (this issue) resolved through peaceful means.”
Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane confirmed on Saturday that the military had seized power in the tiny kingdom and that he had fled to neighbouring South Africa in fear of his life.
Monyela said that South African government would review all requests for assistance from Lesotho representatives.
The Department advised South Africans against travelling to Lesotho for the time being.