By ‘Mantṧali Phakoana
The Law Society of Lesotho has called on the government to ensure that police are adequately resourced to effectively carry out their mandate of protecting the country’s citizens and property.
The Society said in addition to further training to enable police to better investigate crimes and bring perpetrators to justice, there was also urgent need to address the root causes of violence in the country.
The organisation’s remarks come after the government announced an indefinite 10pm to 4am curfew with effect from Tuesday this week.
The minister of local government, chieftainship, home affairs and police, Lebona Lephema announced on Monday that the curfew was a way to curb the high rate of crime and gun killings in the country.
The move comes a day after Tṧenolo FM presenter Ralikonelo ‘Leqhashasha’ Joki was shot dead on Sunday night at the gate of the radio station at Lower Thamae in Maseru. The incident occurred at around 9:15pm after the deceased had just finished his slot.
Gang related shootings are common in Lesotho, a landlocked mountainous country of two million people, where police complain the number of unlicensed firearms in circulation is too high.
According to a 2021 World Population Review report, Lesotho has the sixth highest murder rate in the world.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Law Society of Lesotho said it was deeply troubled by the escalating wave of violence that has swept across the nation.
However, it believes that by imposing a national curfew, police commissioner Holomo Molibeli has taken a drastic step.
“Law Society believes that this is not the way to go,” the organisation said.
It noted that although the curfew may temporarily address the symptoms of the problem, it does not address the root causes of violent crime and bring lasting peace.
“Mourning and solidarity are not enough. We must act. We call upon our government to step up its efforts in addressing this crisis. Our security forces, particularly the police, are the first line of defence against crime and they must be adequately equipped and trained,” the Society added.
Molibeli announced the curfew through a government Gazette titled; ‘International security curfew order notice, 2023’.
According to the Gazette, the curfew was imposed pursuant to Section 37A and 37B of the International Security (General) Act, 1984.
The police boss said that he had made the decision because it was necessary to prevent harm to public safety or order.
“A curfew is imposed on all persons throughout the Kingdom of Lesotho with effect from today the 16th May, 2023 from 22:00 hours in the evening to 04:00 hours, except where a person is granted a permit by the commissioner in terms of sections 37C and 37D of the Act to perform essential or permitted services or is attending to a security or medical emergency.
“A person to whom a permit is granted who fails to produce it when so lawfully required to do so, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding R500 or both such imprisonment and fine in accordance with section 37D (4) of the Act,” he cautioned.
He added that anyone who fails to comply with item 1 of the curfew commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period of not exceeding two years or to a fine not exceeding M10 000 or both such imprisonment and fine in accordance with section 37E of the Act. The curfew will remain in force until further notice.
