The commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Lt General Mojalefa Letsoela has apologized and withdrawn a letter of threats to Lesotho Times reporter, Pascalnah Kabi, by the LDF Public Affairs Officer Lt Colonel Mashili Mashili.
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Jan. 4, 2019
3 min read
Army commander apologises to newspaper
“A letter of apology: withdrawal of the transmittal letter between Lt Colonel Mashili of Lesotho Defence Force public affairs office and Ms Pascalinah Kabi of Lesotho Times newspaper in regard to articles published on the 29th November and 2nd December 2018,” writes Lt General Letsoela in his letter dated December 20. He said: “The above-captioned matter bears In his letter dated December 5 and addressed to Kabi, Lt Colonel Mashili said on November 27, Kabi called the office of the LDF Public Affairs requesting an interview, stating that she had gathered that there were members of the LDF who were unhappy that their compensation demand was not being processed by the office of the Chief of Defence staff “and little did we (LDF) know that you already had in your possession the classified security document belonging to the army.”
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The letter warned Kabi that she chose to infiltrate the LDF with the aim to spy on it while she knew very well the proper channels all journalists normally follow when inquiring about issues pertaining to the institution, adding that the LDF would not tolerate spies shrouded in media cloaks and there were solid grounds to suspect that what she had done in concert with the people she colluded with was tantamount to serious breach of the laws governing the security of the country.
reference to rapidly prevailing concerns regarding media freedom. The importance of a vibrant media in a democracy such as Lesotho is highly appreciated by the Lesotho Defence Force as the source of information between public domain and state institutions. “It is with this understanding that Lesotho Defence Force wishes to issue a formal withdrawal of all matters that appeared to or may have conveyed the impression of threatening Ms Pascalinah Kabi of Lesotho Times newspaper in all respects.” According to Lt General Letsoela, Lesotho Defence Force in line with its motto ‘Tsepo ea Sechaba’ (hope of the nation) strive and guest for a stable and peaceful Lesotho for the well-being of all citizens of Lesotho.
“We also recognize the importance of the principles that govern the defence force in a democratic dispensation. Hence, we are committed to maintaining cordial relations with all sectors of society, more so, the media. We are further cognizant of the importance of solid civil military relations in the democratic Lesotho. And further that we recognize the indispensable role that the media plays in consolidating democracy in Lesotho. We therefore, value and cherish the importance of a professional media to shape and consolidate the enabling democracy and prosperity for well-being of all Basotho.
“The LDF therefore expresses unqualified regret as regards the ostensibly harsh letter from LDF to Ms Kabi of Lesotho Times newspaper in respect of the above-mentioned article. Once again, we assure the aggrieved party and public as whole that the LDF undertakes to be accountable and transparent at all times,” said Lt General Letsoela.
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