Pretoria – Claims that there are Lesotho “military camps” in South Africa have been refuted by the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola.
The suggestions made by Lesotho Police Chief, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, were high on the agenda when General Masemola met nine provincial commissioners during a scheduled Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting to discuss crime combatting efforts in the country.
The BOC is the highest decision-making body of the SAPS, inclusive of all Provincial Commissioners, Divisional Commissioners, and the acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
During the meeting, General Masemola said he was satisfied that organised crime syndicates in the country were being dismantled, dislodged, displaced, and their members arrested by the police.
A preliminary report from the crime intelligence division states that operations were heightened to investigate allegations of the alleged presence of Lesotho military camps in South Africa and, where necessary, track down and to take down such illegal activities.
General Masemola said the DPCI, also known as the HAWKS Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit, has also been roped in to investigate the allegations made by the Lesotho police chief, Advocate Borotho Matsoso.
“Various searches have been undertaken by CATS at various identified farms and no such evidence has been found to date,” General Maseola said.
In that regard, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said General Masemola has reached out to his Lesotho counterpart, where the two commissioners discussed the allegations.
“Both commissioners agreed that both law enforcement agencies’ intelligence structures are on the ground to investigate the existence of such camps,” Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.
“General Fannie Masemola assures all people living in South Africa that the safety and security of the people of SA is of paramount importance and anyone who is found to be in the country committing illegal acts will face the full might of the law.
“To this effect, intelligence structures and operatives are on the ground to establish facts.
“South Africans are urged not to panic or worry as police from both countries remain on high alert.”
