SADC commission concludes investigation

The Southern African Development Community's commission of inquiry investigating matters relating to the death of army commander Maaparankoe Mahao ended last week with commission chairperson Judge Mpaphi Phumaphi inferring that Lesotho is now a lawless country. The Cape Argus reports that Phumaphi has come under fire over his tough line of questioning, with Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili accusing the commission of violating its terms of reference. Mosisili said he had written to Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, asking him to call Phumaphi and his commission to order. The inquiry was established after Lesotho descended into chaos following the return of Mosisili and his coalition to power after the 28 February elections and the ousting of former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane. After Mosisili’s return to power, the government was accused of unleashing a reign of terror on its opponents, which included the murder of Mahao, the man who Thabane had appointed as the new Lesotho Defence Force commander, the report states.