(MISA/IFEX) – On 2 July 2003, two journalists were injured while covering protests by street vendors in the main Maseru bus-stop area. The street vendors were protesting to the police, who wore protective clothing and were armed with pump-action shotguns, and to Maseru city councillors about their eviction from the streets of Maseru. After a […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 2 July 2003, two journalists were injured while covering protests by street vendors in the main Maseru bus-stop area. The street vendors were protesting to the police, who wore protective clothing and were armed with pump-action shotguns, and to Maseru city councillors about their eviction from the streets of Maseru.
After a gunshot was fired from the side of the police and the council members, the protests turned violent. Street vendors resorted to throwing stones and vandalising and torching businesses in the area. Several shops, one church and at least one vehicle were vandalised. The vendors proceeded to Maseru’s central business district, where they vandalised two more shops. Many of them were bundled into police vehicles and assaulted by police during the process.
During the rampage, T’sepiso Mncina, a female journalist from “Mopheme”, a weekly English-language newspaper, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital. Thabo Thakalekoala, the sub-editor of “Mopheme” and chairperson of MISA-Lesotho (MILES), sustained a minor knee injury. The injuries were caused by the street vendors, who seemingly did not fully comprehend the role of the press in the situation. Notably, the press was also interacting with Maseru City Council personnel and the police on matters of clarification.
MILES’ first reaction has been to issue an alert and other actions are being considered.
BACKGROUND:
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on HIV/AIDS is currently taking place at the National Convention Centre south of Maseru. Lesotho is also preparing for the official visit of Britain’s Princess Anne. Street vendors were evicted from the streets days before the summit began. They believe they were evicted to give Maseru a more “tidy” appearance. Vendors began to protest this situation in the early hours of 2 July.
