The dying moments of Lesothos former commander
Thursday, May 12, 2016
On the afternoon of Thursday, June 25, 2015, former Lesotho Defence Force commander, Maaparankoe Mahao was driving a light van near his farm in Ha Lekete, near Maseru. He was in the company of two young nephews.
Three double cab vehicles, two bearing military plates and one without any plates at all, roared into view and promptly blocked him. They quickly barricaded Mahao’s van, with one in front, one behind and another on the right hand side, the driver’s side.
A young man suspected of breaking into a car was seized by residents, severely assaulted, and died in the hospital within an hour. We unreservedly condemn this mob justice. It is not a solution to crime, but a criminal offence that turns citizens into murderers.Residents are understandably angry about theft. The person who raised the alarm at 4am acted lawfully, and the neighbours who rushed to help showed community spirit. But what followed was...