The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, Public Safety and Parliamentary Affairs has urged the community of Lit’soeneng and others surrounding villages to engage in community policing to fight crime.

Mr. Lesao Lehohla was speaking at the public gathering on Wednesday at Lit’soeneng in the Mafeteng district where he encouraged communities living along the Lesotho and South Africa borders to work hand in hand with the police to ease the implementation of crime prevention strategies.

Mr. Lesao Lehohla therefore appealed to the Lit’soeneng community to maintain peace and stability, saying this will strengthen the relations of the two countries.

He urged the community along the border to fight illegal importation of firearms and vehicles, as these offences sour the relations between Lesotho and South Africa.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Mrs. ‘Malejaka Letooane said cooperation between the police and the community will enhance crime prevention initiatives in the area.

She said crossing borders without legal documents or permission is a serious crime, therefore urged those who have been practicing this act to refrain as they will face legal charges.
Present at the gathering included high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, public servants, community councilors, and the public. The gathering was aimed at addressing cross border crime in the area.

Source: LENA 26/06/2008