The Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Tom Motsoahae Thabane has urged District Police Commanders to intensify their efforts in strengthening the level of partnership with communities for success in the implementation of the Lesotho Community Safety and Security Project (LCSSP). Speaking during a one-day information session to update District Police Commanders on progress on LCSSP held at Lancers Inn on Thursday 01 august,2002. Minister  Thabane noted that the time is ripe to finally clear misconceptions about police officers operations so as to win back public trust

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He clarified that the level at which criminal offences occur in the country is increasing, adding that it is only through joint cooperation between police, chiefs and members of the community that such crimes would subside. The Minister further appealed to District Police Commanders to encourage their junior staff to behave properly while on duty, mentioning that communities have ceased to respect police officers due to the manner in which they behave, whilst still wearing uniform. He said while the LCSSP was introduced in the four pilot areas of Mapholaneng, Pitseng, Matelile and Mofoka last year, it is soon to cover the whole country with the hope to enhance police work countrywide as has been the case in the four pilot areas.

He concluded by saying the fight against crime is an enormous responsibility that require commitment not only from police officers but from each member of the society especially community leaders such as priests and teachers as well as political leaders to ensure that peace and not crime, prevails in Lesotho.

Speaking at the occasion, the Principal Chief of Matsieng Chief Seeiso Bereng Seeiso commended the LCSSP implementing personnel for establishing relations between Chiefs, Police and community in the development of the country through crime prevention. He said one of the challenges facing District Police Commanders is to
establish relations with the courts of law when dealing with offenders, saying this will eradicate a saying that the police usually free crime culprits while such acts are performed by the courts of law.

He concluded by appealing to participants to engage in exchange of notes with chiefs regularly in order to ensure that relations in combating criminal activities among communities stay in place even after the completion of the Lesotho Community Safety and Security Project.

Meanwhile, a similar information session will be held for area Chiefs on
Friday, with the aim to update them on the project and to review the role of
Chieftainship in Crime Prevention. The session was attended by all District
Police Commanders and Senior Police Officers.

01 August,2002