The Lesotho Defence Force says recent happenings involving members of the army suggest that the country has come face to face with terrorism, with perpetrators having appeared to be determined to remove the present government by force.

This assertion was made by the LDF high command on Wednesday at a press conference in the wake of the arrest and arraignment of three army officers and two civilians. The three are all facing treason charges.

LDF commander Lieutenant General Thuso Motanyane said the charges arise from attacks on the homes of three government ministers and the seizure of vehicles and firearms from some LDF members, which resulted in some sustaining injuries. These acts are alleged to have happened between June 10 and 17.

Lieutenant General Motanyane described the acts as an unfortunate and indelible blemish on the LDF's track record, but added that they are also evidence of the army's apolitical nature, and its quest to maintain international standards of professionalism.

Meanwhile, the High Court of Lesotho had ordered the release of three army officers from police custody last Saturday, only for the LDF to step in and re-detain them. This act sparked a flash on confrontation between security personnel and a crowd of opposition supporters.

Defending this move, Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao said the three were detained because they still have to face military charges ranging from dereliction of duty to communicating with the enemy, an undisclosed enemy.

Brigadier Mahao insisted that the high treason charges brought against the accused were formulated by the director of public prosecutions, and not the army.

SOURCE: LENA 11/07/2007