State House Security Very Tight - Nkoloi

By Lekopanye Mooketsi
Correspondent | Monday April 16, 2007 00:00

Contrary to press reports, Nkoloi said the youngster never entered the State House as he was apprehended by sentries outside the guardhouse.

The intruder, Thabo Letlotlo, 18, has already appeared before a customary court and convicted of criminal tresspass.

Nkoloi said Letlotlo was caught early last Saturday morning as he approached the guardhouse.  He said the security officers who arrested him later handed him over to the police.

Nkoloi said they do not know what Letlotlo's intentions were but 'he was not armed'. He added that it appeared Letlotlo thought the guardhouses were unmanned and that this might have tempted him into wanting to enter the premises.

The private secretary said they have since learnt that Letlotlo had served time in prison before but he did not know what his offence was.

Nkoloi stressed that 'security at State House is not lax', adding that it is a high security area and it is impossible for anyone to enter the place without being detected. 

He said he has confidence in the security system at the President's official residence, which has cameras in the recently renovated guardhouses to monitor movements.
Nkoloi said Letlotlo had explained that he was lost but it was the police who made the decision to charge him with criminal trespass. 

'I am only concerned with security here,' pleaded the President's man.

Letlotlo on Wednesday appeared before customary court president Isaac Monametsi who sentenced him to one-year imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years, during which period he was ordered never get anywhere 'closer or nearer State House'.

In the past, there had been incidents involving members of the public straying into the State House. In the late 80s, an expatriate was shot dead at the State House when he drove through one of the gates.

In another incident, which appeared to have been a suicide attempt, a man drove his car through the State House gates. But he was not shot.