Why is Lesotho accusing its citizens of training for a land takeover in South Africa?: Summary

What we know

• Lesotho authorities say they have credible evidence that Basotho nationals are receiving military-style training on farms in South Africa.
• The training is linked to a growing movement demanding the return of land in several South African provinces that activists claim historically belonged to Lesotho.
• Dr Tshepo Lipholo, a politician leading the land reclamation campaign, was recently arrested in Lesotho on charges including sedition and incitement.
• The Lesotho government has distanced itself from Lipholo, saying his campaign and trip to the United Nations were not officially sanctioned.
• Lesotho police warn the campaign could threaten peace and security, as both Basotho and South African nationals appear to be involved.

What they said

National Commissioner of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), Borotho Matsoso said, “It is not necessarily young Basotho, but Basotho nationals of different ages, we have discovered that they have been recruited to join this military training in some of the farms in South Africa. This is what we have come across.”