The Minister of Defence and Security Honorable Tefo Mapesela gave a way-forward statement on issues relating to the peace and stability of Lesotho in Maseru yesterday, after being sworn in as a new Minister of Defence and Security on Monday this week.

He said he made this statement aware that Basotho are worried about the safety of their lives, as in the past politicians used members of the army to threaten other politicians, and by so doing caused divisions in the Lesotho Defence Force(LDF).

He promised that they are not going to use the army to threaten other politicians, but instead said they are going to use political platforms to fight their political battles.

He encouraged politicians who may feel like they are being threatened by members of the army to report themselves to him, as he knows that most politicians tend to blame soldiers, that they are threatening them when they fail in their political plans.

Honorable Mapesela further expressed that he made this statement at a time when most Basotho are complaining about the brutal killings of people.

He indicated that when it was first established, the Lesotho Defence Force’s main purpose was to maintain peace and stability of Lesotho, and said he is embarrassed to realize that some people like police and soldiers, who are paid to protect the lives of Basotho are found involved in many criminal activities reported.