Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Lesotho

Maseru - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and SADC Facilitator on Lesotho has arrived in Maseru today, Tuesday 30 June 2015 for urgent consultations with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho Phakalitha Mosisili, leaders of opposition parties and other stakeholders.

President Jacob Zuma in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation made the decision for Deputy President Ramaphosa to urgently visit Lesotho following recent political and security developments in the Kingdom. These include the flight of three opposition political leaders and the killing of Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao, former Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force.

Concerned with these developments a SADC Ministerial Organ fact-finding mission was sent to Lesotho from 26-29 June to assess the latest political and security developments in the country which compiled a report.

President Zuma will soon send an envoy to Harare to share his concerns about the security situation in Lesotho with the Chairperson of SADC President Robert Mugabe.

President Zuma has reiterated the need for all stakeholders in the Kingdom of Lesotho to resolve their political differences through legal and peaceful processes and further reiterated the pressing need to expedite the process of establishing institutional and security reforms.

President Zuma has reaffirmed the continued commitment of SADC to support the government and people of Lesotho to consolidate peace, security and stability in the country.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa tomorrow on Wednesday 1 July 2015.

Ronnie Mamoepa at 082- 990-4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria