Retired Lesotho Defence Force Major General Rachobokoane Thibeli has sued Moeletsi Oa Basotho newspaper for defamation and demands M250, 000 in damages. 

Major General Thibeli maintains said the newspaper defamed his character in an article in September 2003 that associated him with events in the army in 1998, which culminated in the arrest of senior army officials.

The article showed that he took part in the junior army officers' mutiny, to topple the then Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Commander, Lieutenant General Makhula Mosakeng and take over the Commander’s place.

Following this abortive attempt, the government intended to prosecute him, the article alleged. This was ridiculous as he never desired to be an LDF Commander.

'Due to the tense atmosphere within the army, every officer was forced to comply with the junior officers' orders and I was also one of the victims of these unfortunate orders, that forced me to accept to be a successor of Lieutenant Mosakeng,' he said.

Major General Thibeli said he did not know where the newspaper got the information that following the events of 1998, he would be criminally charged, as he had taken command of the LDF unlawfully. It was also not true that his wife, 'M'amotena, prevented him from talking to Moeletsi oa Basotho's reporters, who wanted to get his side of the story.

The case, before Justice 'M'aseshophe Hlajoane, is continuing. Advocate Molefi Ntlhoki represents the plaintiff, while Advocate Ts'abo Matooane, represents the defendant.

26 September 2005