The Intelligence structures of both the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Lesotho police are investigating the existence of illegal military camps in South Africa.
These follows claims by the Lesotho Police Chief, Commissioner Borotho Matsoso this week, that a group known as Malata Naha (which means land reclaimers in Sesotho) is recruiting and giving military training to Basotho youths on South African farms, raising fears of rebellion and threats to peace in the kingdom.
The group is said to be part of a campaign demanding for the return of the land conquered from Lesotho, which includes the whole Free State province, along with parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, and the Northern Cape.
According to the police, the matter was discussed during a meeting to discuss crime combating efforts in the country, between National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and senior police top brass.
“A preliminary report from the crime intelligence division was discussed in which intelligence structures have highlighted that they have heightened their operations to investigate allegations made and where necessary, track down and takedown such illegal activities.
The HAWKS Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit has also been roped in to investigate.
Various searches have been undertaken by CATS at various identified farms, and no such evidence has been found to date,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
Meanwhile, Mathe said Masemola has since reached out to Matsoso where the allegations were discussed.
