By Hon. Machesetsa Mofomobe, Leader of the Basotho National Party (BNP)
The recent killings and torture of Basotho by the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) in the name of combating organized crime are deeply troubling. As Basotho, we have long prided ourselves on a nation that respects the rule of law and upholds the dignity of its people. Yet, what we are witnessing now is the gradual erosion of those principles. The justification of these heinous acts under the guise of national security is not only unacceptable, but it also suggests that something far more dangerous is at play: the creeping establishment of authoritarian rule in Lesotho.
We have seen these warning signs before, not just in distant lands, but throughout history. A government that uses the military to suppress its own people, one that tolerates or even encourages unlawful killings and torture, is a government that seeks to tighten its grip on power. When the LDF can act with impunity—detaining, torturing, and even killing our fellow citizens—without consequences or accountability, the message is clear: we are sliding towards a dictatorship where dissent is met with violence, and the people are ruled by fear.
Look no further than the recent tragedy that unfolded in Leribe, where four men were arbitrarily detained and subjected to horrific abuse. The soldiers involved in this operation did not stop at torture—they murdered two of our herdsmen, ’Nete Makhabane and Lejone Mopoko. Their blood cries out for justice, yet there is deafening silence from those in power. The army, instead of being an institution that protects the people, has become one that brutalizes them. The army is meant to safeguard our sovereignty, not violate the rights of its citizens.
The true horror of these incidents is not only the violence that has been unleashed but the chilling effect it has on society. When those in power allow—or even encourage—the use of torture and killings under the pretext of fighting crime, they send a clear signal that dissent and opposition will not be tolerated. What begins as the justification of state violence against supposed criminals can quickly spiral into the suppression of political opponents, civil society, and anyone who dares to challenge the regime.
The silence of the Prime Minister in the face of these human rights violations speaks volumes. His refusal to condemn the actions of the LDF is not just a failure of leadership—it is complicity. It is the first step toward creating an environment where the military can operate without oversight, where soldiers can kill and torture with no fear of punishment. The fact that this is happening while Major General Matela Matobakele is openly threatening judges and lawyers handling cases against the army should concern every Basotho.
What we are seeing is the weaponization of fear. The state is telling us that in order to maintain peace, we must submit to the rule of the gun. But peace built on violence is no peace at all. It is submission. And submission is what authoritarian regimes thrive on. We must not allow ourselves to be deceived into thinking that these actions are a necessary evil in the fight against crime. This is not about gangs or guns—it is about consolidating power.
Lesotho is at a crossroads. If we do not stand up against these abuses now, we will soon find that we no longer live in a democracy. We will find that our freedoms have been stripped away, one by one, until there is nothing left. Today it is gang members and herdsmen; tomorrow, it could be political activists, journalists, or ordinary Basotho who dare to speak out against the government.
The Basotho National Party stands firm in its opposition to these atrocities. We demand that those responsible for the torture and killings be brought to justice. We call on the Prime Minister to publicly denounce these actions and affirm his commitment to the rule of law. Our nation cannot afford to be led by fear. We cannot afford to let violence be normalized as a tool of governance.
This is not just about the victims of torture and killings—it is about the future of Lesotho. Will we be a nation that upholds the dignity of every citizen, or will we descend into a dark era of authoritarian rule? The choice is ours, and we must choose wisely.
Let us remember: silence in the face of injustice is complicity. And today, more than ever, we must raise our voices, not just for the victims of Operation Hard Fist, but for all Basotho. We must resist the creeping tide of authoritarianism before it is too late. We must stand firm in our commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
If we do not, the torture and killings we see today will be just the beginning.
