(MISA/IFEX) – On 10 September 2004, Justice Maqelepo, a local freelance journalist, was severely assaulted by members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and municipal constables of the Maseru City Council (MCC) in the central business district of the capital, Maseru. At approximately 10:30 a.m. (local time), Maqelepo was making his way to the […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 10 September 2004, Justice Maqelepo, a local freelance journalist, was severely assaulted by members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and municipal constables of the Maseru City Council (MCC) in the central business district of the capital, Maseru.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. (local time), Maqelepo was making his way to the MISA-Lesotho Media Resource Centre when two pickup trucks stopped a few metres from where he was standing, near the main post office in Maseru’s central business district. One of the trucks was full of armed LMPS officers, while the other was full of armed MCC municipal constables. Police officers and MCC personnel jumped from the trucks waving batons and sjamboks (heavy animal-hide whips) and yelling vulgarities at street vendors, telling them to vacate the streets.
Maqelepo approached the police officer who seemed to be commanding the operation to evict street vendors from the streets. He revealed his identity to the officer and informed him that he was a journalist. Maqelepo questioned the manner and reason for the officers’ aggression towards the vendors. The exchange angered the commanding officer, who responded by punching and beating Maqelepo with his baton. Other police officers soon joined the commanding officer in the assault, and Maqelepo and the vendors were forced to flee the area.
MISA-Lesotho has condemned the incident. A complaint for assault was brought against the LMPS and a formal submission made to the Police Complaints Authority. The complaint against the LMPS was lodged formally at the Maseru Police Charge Office on 21 September at 4:00 p.m.
MISA-Lesotho has provided funds for Maqelepo to receive medical treatment and to obtain a medical certificate to verify his condition.
