Issued by: Office of the Deputy President T.M Mbeki
A delegation of SADC countries consisting of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique visited the Kingdom of Lesotho on Sunday 20 September to discuss with the Lesotho Government and opposition parties the way forward flowing from the Langa Commission Report.
The delegation comprised Minister Sydney Mufamadi, High Commissioners of Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique to South Africa and Lesotho Nelson Moyo, Oteng Tebape, Panguene Armando respectively, Rev Frank Chikane, Jackie Seleb, Adv Mojanku Gumbi, Billy Masetlha and Ms Barulaganya Machacha (Botswana).
The meeting followed the handing over of the Langa Commission report on Thursday 17 September to His Majesty King Letsie III, the government and the three opposition parties that had laid complaints regarding the outcome of Lesotho's May general elections. The three opposition parties consist of Basutoland Congress Party, Basutoland National Party and Marematlou Freedom Party.
During the process of handing over of the Langa Commission Report, the government and opposition parties had agreed with the SADC delegation that all parties needed time to study the contents and implications of the report; to consult with their constituencies and develop mandated proposals with regard to the way forward in preparation for the Sunday meeting.
As a consequence, the SADC delegation on Sunday met with the government and opposition parties delegations separately to receive the parties responses to the Langa Report and their respective proposals for a way forward. The delegation also met His Majesty King Letsie III.
It became necessary that the SADC delegation study the responses from the political parties with a view to identifying commonalities and divergences as part of moving the process forward. In this regard, the delegation had proposed that a meeting be held today, Monday 21 September at 10h00 in Lesotho with all political parties.
In response the parties had proposed venues that were unacceptable to the other mainly on account of the deteriorating security environment in Lesotho. The SADC delegation had as a response met with His Majesty Kin Letsie II to request him to use his influence to urge the parties to find common ground on the issue of a venue for the meeting.
For its part, the SADC delegation in pursuance of its contribution to the peace process in Lesotho proposed that a neutral venue - South Africa - be considered for this purpose. The Lesotho Government accepted the proposal while their counterparts in the opposition could not see their way through.
It is the view of the SADC delegation that the issue of a venue is trivial and should not be allowed to derail the current initiative; and express its hope that the leadership of all political parties will rise to the occasion - in the best interests of the country and its people - to find an amicable resolution tot he issue of a venue.
The SADC delegation takes this opportunity to express its serious concern regarding the deteriorating security situation in Lesotho and calls upon the political and military leadership to do everything in their power to help create a climate in which normality can return to their country.
The Delegation reiterates SADC's commitment to playing such a role as the leadership and the people of Lesotho may deem fit in an effort to help bring about a lasting peace and stability to their country.
Issued by Minister Sydney Mufamadi; High Commissioners Nelson Moyo (Zimbabwe); Oteng Tebape (Botswana); Panguene Armando (Mozambique).
For more info contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Pretoria
21 September 1998.