US embassy cable - 05MASERU186

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000186 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, PREL, LT 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 
 
1.   SUMMARY. The Commissioner of Police Mrs. 'Malejaka Evelyn 
Letooane paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador on Wednesday 
April 7, 2005. Their discussion focused on the current security 
situation and public safety in Lesotho.The Ambassador expressed 
concerns about recent attacks on expatriate residents. 
Commissioner Letooane noted the limited resources with which the 
law enforcement personnel force must try to do their job and the 
Ambassador offered to explore potential training and assistance. 
  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.   Responding to a comment by the Ambassador regarding the 
increasing crime rate, Letooane concurred with the Ambassador's 
observation that the crime is up. She informed the Ambassador 
that this was due to a number of factors such as unemployment, 
lack of manpower in the police service, juvenile delinquency by 
school dropouts and loitering in the streets by opportunistic 
criminals who desire affluent lifestyles in Maseru. The 
Commissioner also stated that the police are actively 
encouraging and assisting communities with skills to engage in 
Community Policing because of lack of manpower in the Lesotho 
Mounted Police Service (L.M.P.S.). During daytime, about 316 
policemen and policewomen excluding the Special Operations Unit, 
are deployed around the city (mobile patrols, foot patrols) to 
deter criminals. Plain clothes police are also engaged. 
 
3.  Letooane was quick to emphasize that the L.M.P.S. officers 
are trying their level best to provide a high quality and 
efficient service but due to lack of resources, they have been 
unable to effectively carry out their duties. She went further 
that they have they could deploy as many as 500 Police officers 
around the city if resources (especially transport) were 
available. The Commissioner indicated that they have very few 
motorbikes, which are used mainly by the traffic police to 
escort VIPs. She stated that they are even considering the use 
of bicycles to counter the problem of transport for the police 
in Maseru.   In addition, as a mounted police service, the 
L.M.P.S do not have horses for Maseru urban areas. The animals 
are used only in the rural areas but L.M.P.S. has requested 
funds to get additional horses. The Commissioner cited an 
inadequate number of uniforms as another problem the LMPS they 
faces . She expressed concern that as many as 800 police 
officers have been without uniforms  for close to over a year. 
Letooane indicated that her office has just received a positive 
response from the Ministry of Finance for purchasing the 
uniforms for those officers. 
 
4. The Ambassador expressed concern about the safety of 
expatriates and Lesotho citizens.  She mentioned recent 
incidents involving an American citizen who was attacked and 
stabbed in his house and British students who were mugged  at 
knife point during daylight in the city. The Ambassador stressed 
that these incidents take place at a time when the Diplomatic 
Corps and other organizations are encouraging potential 
investors and other businesses to expand their operations in 
Lesotho. She emphasized that the rising crime rate could have 
detrimental effects on Lesotho's economy. The Commissioner 
indicated that she was aware of the unfortunate incident 
involving an American citizen and assured the Ambassador that 
the police were making every effort despite their limitations 
and expressed confidence that the culprit/s will be caught. 
Mrs. Letooane also noted additional steps being taken to combat 
crime.   She attended a meeting with the Assistant Commissioner 
of Police for the central region (which includes Maseru) called 
by the acting Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety aimed 
at devising strategies to increase the number of  police on the 
streets and for patrolling in residential areas, especially 
those occupied by foreign nationals. She also stated that she 
has ordered District Police Commanders to visit and consult 
Peace Corps Volunteers all over the country to find whether they 
are secure and address their concerns. 
 
5.  The Commissioner of Police mentioned to the Ambassador that 
the Police are contemplating an operation aimed at removing 
people who roam the streets of Maseru day and night especially 
young people.  Loiterers would be targeted because they are the 
ones who normally end up committing crimes.   Responding to a 
question by the Ambassador about the existence of a training 
center for young people to draw them off the streets, the 
Commissioner indicated that it is a big problem because there 
are no facilities to accommodate them, train them and help them 
acquire skills which they can use to find jobs in order to lead 
a normal life.  The Ambassador informed the Commissioner that 
the Embassy's human rights or self help funds may be able to 
provide assistance to hold seminars, particularly on young girls 
and women's rights.  Regarding security arrangements for the 
forthcoming local government elections, the Commissioner stated 
that they are currently training additional police assistants to 
be deployed around polling stations. She also  indicated that 
the Crime Intelligence Unit has already been deployed to report 
anything suspicious prior to the elections. The  Ambassador and 
Commissioner concluded their meeting by agreeing to enhance 
regular communications. 
 
 
MASERU 00000186  002 OF 002 
 
 
6.  (SBU) Comment:  The Commissioner thanked the Ambassador for 
ILEA training to date and commented she had seen positive 
results.  The Commissioner recognized the severe constraints 
faced by her force, particularly with lack of transport and 
training.  We are acutely aware of the lack of protection in 
Maseru as are others in the diplomatic and business communities. 
 End Comment. 
 
 
 
 
PERRY