Mohloai Mpesi
A member of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) has died following an alleged confrontation that resulted in a fatal shootout on Friday morning, the army has confirmed.
LDF Public Relations Officer, Colonel Sakeng Lekola, confirmed the incident but declined to disclose full details surrounding the mysterious circumstances of the soldier’s death.
According to Col Lekola, the incident occurred at the soldier’s residence within the Ratjomose Barracks in Maseru.
“The Office of the Lesotho Defence Force Public Relations informs the general public about a shootout that took place at the LDF Barracks, Ratjomose residence, in the morning of the 30th of May 2025,” Col Lekola said in a press statement.
He stated that preliminary reports indicated there was a confrontation among individuals at the residence, which led to shots being fired.
As a result, the soldier, identified only by his rank as a Captain, was shot and rushed to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
“Preliminary reports submitted to the Office of the LDF Public Relations reveal that the shootout occurred following a confrontation among those present at one of the residences.
“It is in that shootout that a Captain in the LDF was rushed to hospital, where it was later confirmed that he or she had died,” the statement reads.
Col Lekola added that the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) had been notified of the incident, and that investigations were underway, jointly conducted by the police and the LDF.
“The LDF Command alerted the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) about the shootout. Therefore, the police, working together with the LDF, have initiated investigations into the matter.
“The LDF Public Relations Office will provide more information once investigations are complete,” the statement added.
When contacted for further details, Col Lekola declined to comment, saying it was now a police matter.
“The investigations are ongoing, led by the police in collaboration with the LDF. However, because this is a murder-related matter, it falls primarily under police jurisdiction. So, the police are better placed to provide further comment,” Col Lekola said.
This publication contacted the police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli, on Friday. He stated that he was “not privy to the matter” and advised this reporter to call the following day (yesterday). However, he still maintained he had not received a report and asked to be contacted later in the day. Subsequent calls went unanswered.
Further efforts to contact his deputy, Inspector Mareabetsoe Mofoka, were also unsuccessful as her phone rang unanswered.