Two Men Arrested in Army Weapons' Case
  Police are making headway in investigations into the disappearance of firearms from the Makoanyane barracks armoury recently.  Two men have been arrested in Mafeteng and are helping police with investigations.

Acting Assistant Commissioner responsible for Operations Mr. Janki Hlaahla, speaking at a press conference at Police Headquarters in Maseru on December 7, said a countrywide campaign against illegal weapons enabled police to only to net the armoury burglary suspects but also recover a nine millimetre pistol taken by force from a prisons officer in Hlotse on December2.

A "junior" soldier based in Maseru had been found in possession of the pistol, forcible taken from a member of the Lesotho Prison Services (LPS), who was hit on the head and robbed of the gun in an incident at Hlotse.  The junior officer had failed to explain where he got the gun as he does not have any permit or licence for possessing a firearm. 

In Mohale's Hoek, the police have found seven pistols, one shot gun and eight bullets while in Mafeteng, three pistols, two revolvers, one pump-action gun and 16 bullets were found during the operation. Eight people were arrested in Mohale's Hoek and five in Mafeteng.

The Acting Assistant Commissioner said police will conduct regular police operations in different districts to ensure the safety of the people and their properties by confiscating all illegal firearms.

08 December 2004

  source:   LENA