The Transformation Resource Center Tuesday last week condemned the Butha-Buthe Police who have violated the rights of the communities affected by the Storm Mountain Diamond at Kao. According to Hlalele Hlalele, the TRC’s Social Justice and Economic Rights Officer said although the Lesotho Mounted Police Service was established to protect the rights of all citizens and everybody within the country, it is clear that the SMD together with the police have a relationship that violates the rights of the Kao community.

“That relationship has undermined the independence of the security institution which is mandated to restore the law, order and protect the rights of the people,” he said. Hlalele said as TRC, they have realized an unacceptable manner in which the Butha-Buthe Police is intervening in resolving the issues between the community members and the Mine. He highlighted the brutal killing of Terene Pitae by some of the police and the injuring of two other men in a protest that occurred in February. Additionally so, he pointed out that community members are still being arrested, detained and tortured without trials on false allegations made by the SMD mine officials. “People who have been victimized and violated are Kamoho Moloi, Peshoane Moloi and Tseko Ratia,” he added.