Lesotho soldiers set to return home

“The termination point will be on the 15th July 2024, but they will arrive a couple of days before the date,” Lt Gen Letsoela said.

He disclosed that the LDF contingent in Mozambique is currently operating in the Pemba region.

“After getting the message that the termination point is approaching, I was privileged to go and visit them,” he said.

He added that the contingent is healthy and their bodies show that they have been working out.

“Their eyes were red, they are willing to do their job,” he said.

General Letsoela said some of the issues stated on social media platforms about the contingent are true, “some are not true”.

He complained that the enemies laugh at the LDF tents in Mozambique as they are torn.

“How could those tents be intact, yet they were used for three years in the field?”

He challenged people who are mocking the army’s tents to buy them new ones.

Lt Gen Letsoela said the contingent is in Pemba engaging in operations as they have managed to complete their operations in Nangade.

“Now there is peace in Nangade, and an army base has been established there,” he said.

He said towards the east of Nangade there was still some activity by the insurgents, adding that the LDF contingent has also secured a safe passage for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to go back to Pemba.

“We will operate there while making preparations to come back home,” he said.

He also said the contingent would be awarded medals at a huge parade that would terminate their deployment.

He said an army chopper is already in Mozambique where it will ensure the safe return of the contingent.

“I talk to them every day, and they are still okay.”

He urged the army command to ensure that soldiers know how to manage social media, adding that he is not part of social media himself.

“Do not send me things that I do not know.”

He said soldiers should avoid being extreme on their social media platforms.

He lashed out at one of the soldiers who talked badly after one of them, Colonel Mabitle, was killed at Ha-Mabekenyane (Bua-Sono) a few weeks ago.

“I order all of you to pardon him. He will soon realise that what he did was wrong,” Lt Gen Letsoela said.

Nkheli Liphoto