The Acting President Dr. Mangosuthu Buthelezi advices that the Langa Commission Report will be handed over to its rightful heirs, the people of Lesotho on Thursday 17 September 1998.
The Report is a sequel to allegations of fraud following the recent elections in Lesotho. We are however not in a position to reveal the contens of this report before all stakeholders including the government of Lesotho, the three opposition parties and His Majesty King Letsie III have had sight of the recommendations of the report.
It is the view of the Troika and SADC that the handing over of the report is not an end in itself but marks the beginning of a process that should lead to the normalisation of the political situation in Lesotho. Part of this normalisation process is the need for the political management of the outcome of the Langa Commission Report.
In this regard, a delegation of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique will visit Lesotho on Thursday 17 September to discuss the outcome of the report and to chart the way forward. The South African delegation will be led by Minister for Safety and Security Sydney Mufamadi and will include Rev. Frank Chikane, Jackie Selebi and Adv. Mojanku Gumbi.
The people of Lesotho should appreciate that the report on its own cannot resove all problems of Lesotho. The people and leadership of Lesotho should excercise their political wisdom to help the country move beyond the current impasse.
The deteriorating politico-security situation is a matter of serious concern to the Troika and SADC countries. In particular we express our concern about actions of mutineers within the Lesotho Defence Force. Whilst we welcome the release of senior officers of the Defence Force, the political and military leadership should help normalise the military situation in compliance with SADC protocols of 1994.
At the same time while we respect the right of people to engage in peaceful forms of protest, it is our view that the current demonstrations which includes illegal and violent actions subtract rather than add to the momentum for peace and stability.
We reiterate our view that no effort should be spared by leaders of all political parties in Lesotho to ensure the creation be spared by leaders of all political parties in Lesotho to ensure the creation of peace, stability, respect for the constitution and the rule of law.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana remain committed to helping the people of Lesotho, within the broader efforts of SADC, to create a climate for peace, security and stability as part of initiatives aimed at Africa's renewal.
The Troika will as guarantors of peace in Lesotho do everything in its power to help the people of Lesotho find a lasting and peaceful resolution to the country's problems. In the final analysis the problems in Lesotho are political and everything possible should be made to create a climate conducive for a political solution.
Issued by: Rev. Frank Chikane
On behalf of Acting President Dr. Mangosuthu Buthelezi 1998 September 16
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