South Africa: Police abandon posts in Lesotho, fear for lives

Police in Lesotho have been told to abandon their posts and not wear uniforms to avoid being targeted in attacks in the kingdom's continuing power vacuum, an official said Tuesday. At least one policeman was killed when the military disarmed police stations on Saturday. Radios were also jammed in what the prime minister said was a clear coup attempt in the country of about 2 million people. The military said they merely acted on information that police would be arming demonstrators in a political protest. Prime Minister Thomas Thabane fled to South Africa, where he has been meeting with regional leaders. It is not yet clear when he will return to Lesotho, but the streets are unprotected by police until a resolution is found. ‘Police fear for their lives because we have intelligence that there will be an attack while we are in stations on duty,’ said Assistant Police Commissioner Lehloka Maphatsoe. Police stations will not offer services to the population because of the likelihood of attacks on officers, said Maphatsoe, according to AP.