Lesotho: Zuma will not brief Mugabe

via Lesotho: Zuma will not brief Mugabe 11 September 2014

SOUTH African President and Sadc’s Troika chairperson Jacob Zuma will not brief the regional grouping’s chairperson President Robert Mugabe on his recent visit to the troubled Kingdom of Lesotho.

“All I know is that the Organ (Troika) has a specific mandate and does its work in between summits. The chair of the organ (Zuma) will brief summit at its next sitting,” said Monyela.

“I have no knowledge of any move to brief President Mugabe or anyone else for that matter. I have not been briefed on that.”

The premier, late last month, fled to South Africa fearing for his life after the military left its garrisons and took over most of the country’s key institutions including the police headquarters as well as state radio.

Reports coming out of Lesotho since then have indicated a tense atmosphere following the refusal by deposed army general Tlali Kamoli, to relinquish his post as head of the army.

It is now believed that Kimoli has support of the country’s elite crack unit and has seized an unknown quantity of weaponry including anti-aircraft motors and radar equipment now hidden it in one of the country’s mountains in preparation for seizure of power.

In turn Tabane, following his edgy return, has refused to re-open parliament and Zuma was supposed to plead with him to do so. Monyela was not available to comment on whether Zuma had been successful.

Lesotho’s army commander Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao reportedly said on Sunday that military action was now the only option against Kamoli.

Mugabe assumed power as Sadc chair last month and has shown interest in the Lesotho debacle by dispatching army general Constantine Chiwenga and defence minister Sidney Sekeramayi to try and resolve the impasse.