Just zip it
By Scrutator
|
S |
OME years ago a Mosotho woman was lynched by a group of Basotho women in a shop owned by a South African company.
The people’s reaction was as tragic as the incident.
People said: “Lets burn all foreign-owned shops in Lesotho”.
And indeed some foreign-owned shops were burnt and looted while their owners fled for their dear lives.
Let’s recap: a group of Basotho women kill a Mosotho woman in a South African-owned shop and people burn and loot foreign-owned shops.
That absurd story happened when Scrutator was still learning to wear a bra (tricky technique that one) but she was reminded of it last week when she stumbled upon an equally bizarre statement from the army.
The army issued the forceful statement after 10 people were injured during violent clashes between Democratic Congress (DC) members and opposition supporters on Thursday.
“Therefore the LDF will hit very hard on those who instigate violence to destabilise peace,” said the statement.
It was a powerful statement laden with subtle threats that were couched as warnings.
Let’s recap: Ten people are injured at a political gathering and the army threatens to cock its guns. Phew!
|
S |
o how is the incident of the 1990s related to the army’s strong statement last Friday?
Well, both were dramatic overreactions to unfortunate incidents that the police were perfectly capable of dealing with.
Both were an arrogation of a responsibility bestowed on the police by the constitution.
In the incident of the 1990s the public arrogated itself the police’s duty to deal with a crime.
In last week’s statement the army seemed to arrogate itself the police’s duty to maintain law and order.
Both incidents were driven by a refusal to allow logic to get in the way of emotions.
|
B |
ut the similarities of the incidents end there.
The big difference between the incidents is that while one involved an emotionally charged mob the other involved a sophisticated organisation called the army.
The way the mob reacted in the 1990s’ incident can be forgiven because it was just a mob driven by its anger against foreigners and, perhaps, many other things.
A mob’s reaction is normally spontaneous.
But we can’t say the same about the army’s reaction to the violent clashes of last week.
The army should never be emotional about things.
Every move it makes must be calculated and thoroughly thought through. That is why Scrutator was alarmed when she read statements like “hit very hard” and “will not be tolerated”.
The statement was as premature as it was misdirected.
|
F |
irst, it’s prematurity. You see, the police haven’t said they have failed to deal with the situation and they have not asked for “boots” from the barracks to hit the street.
In other words, the situation has not reached a stage when we need a strong word from the barracks.
True, 10 people were injured at a political rally but it’s nothing the police cannot deal with.
The situation got out of hand simply because the police went there unprepared.
They went to a rally like they were attending a wedding.
This was despite the fact that some opposition supporters had warned that they were up to some high jinks.
Scrutator is told that when the fighting started some of the few police officers took to their heels.
I won’t call them cowards because it would have been recklessness of the highest order to fight an angry mob when you are outnumbered and “outgunned”.
What do you do when you are confronted by a violent mob wielding sticks and stones while all you have are your bare hands and a police hat?
Still that incident should not be misinterpreted to mean that the police have failed to deal with political violence.
Their inability to anticipate what happened in Thetsane is a matter for another column but for now Scrutator refuses to believe that we are at a stage when the police should be regarded as helpless when it comes to dealing with political violence.
For that reason Scrutator believes the army jumped the gun when it issued that statement.
|
S |
crutator strongly believes that the statement was misdirected because the army was addressing an issue that does not fall under its jurisdiction.
You see, in times of peace the army’s role is to defend the country from external threats and keep quiet.
If there is a national disaster soldiers can help but they do so as invited extra hands and not leaders.
They are invited not as specialists but as just extra hands that happen not to be busy with their core business of combat.
Matters of law and order remain the responsibility of the police. Of course the military can intervene in times of serious internal strife but so far Scrutator has not seen anything to suggest there is such a thing in this country.
That is why Scrutator is suggesting that the soldiers drink some water and cool down.
If, in the meantime, they want something more rigorous than dealing with administrative and welfare issues, Scrutator suggests that they help build bridges and roads in the rural areas.
Or they can run some agricultural projects in the rural areas to help feed the many orphans we have in this country. After all, they are the people who are trained to ignore physical pain.
|
I |
have not forgotten about the political zealots who caused the mayhem at Thetsane last week.
They were way out of line.
If they are so passionate about this election they must organise their own campaign rallies.
Political parties must urge their supporters to behave themselves before their tails grow too long.
Those rowdy supporters need to have their wings clipped before it’s too late.
The political leaders of those fanatics accused of instigating the violence must do more than just disown their mobs.
If they are the ones instigating these fights then they must be warned to keep their ruffian crews under a tight leash.
Yes Scrutator has just described those people as ruffians and she doesn’t give a hoot what the ruffians and their masters will say.
Unlike the DC people who are trying to portray themselves as angels under attack Scrutator can be a thug to people who behave like thugs.
No one has a monopoly over violence.
If someone tries to do anything funny to Scrutator they will get the beating of their lives.
I leave you with a message from Proverbs 18 verse six which says: “When some fool starts an argument, he is asking for a beating”.
Ache!
scrutator29@gmail.com
Comment by Makhoalibe on 26 April 2012:
If you recall the incidents before or after elections in 1997, there was a soldier called Kamoli who had the habit of calling into radio political programmes to put everyone in order. At the same time there were beatings of people related to opposition.
Anyone can see a coincidence in his appointment as heard of the army and the army threat? I think it is as evident as a goat’s behind. Be afraid, very afraid.
Comment by Oa maliba on 26 April 2012:
Hahona ‘nete e fetang ena.
Comment by Senqu on 26 April 2012:
Scrutator, on this one I beg to differ. I personally feel that the army was acting within its jurisdiction to drive fear into the hearts of perpetrators of violence; that they will be dealt with decisively for causing trouble and destabilizing national security. As the Sesotho saying goes: Lehlanya lea bokaneloa (It requires joint effort to subdue a madman/troublemaker). You see, there is a very unfortunate historical context here regarding the men in uniform, where they were accused of being dissidents, unpatriotic, politicized and acting in cahoots with political miscreants who destabilize the country. I think they are rightly out to stamp their authority on national security, and to portray a new-look image of themselves following years of public mistrust. Remember the 1998 post-election disturbances were started by small pockets of disgruntled supporters of opposition parties until the situation snowballed to a point where it could not be contained easily. Thutsoana e chesa naha (A small piece of match can burn the whole rangeland/country). As long as the perpetrators are kept at bay, and there is peace and order, for me I say bravo LDF. We are sick and tired of being labeled the troublesome kid on the block; the most lawless and politically unstable country in the region because of a few tsosis. Since when did evil prevail over good? There is no honour among tsotsis.
Comment by Lethula on 26 April 2012:
He ua bua Scru. Leha ho le joalo Senqu o arabile lintlha tsa hao ka botlalo.
Comment by Tebatso Lempe on 26 April 2012:
Kamoli ha se ena ea neng a ntsa kakasa batho ka paramenteng? Re lumele hore ho etsa kelello hore ebe Lekanyane o okametse sesole likhoeli tse robeli feela?Re seke ra khathatseha ha re ntse re utloa hore hona le meyenyetsi ea hore ho ntse ho lohothoa ho bea lesole ele commissioner ea sepolesa?Polelo ena ea sesole ea tsosa ruri. Nna e nthuta hore hone le ntho e bilietsoang. Ke bona phafa feela.Leha hole joalo ha re litlohelleng li hole `moho re tla li bona mohla kotulo.
Comment by Ramohomana on 26 April 2012:
Scru, please tell me sisy, is it right for soldiers to interfer after death of innocent souls? Is it not right to prevent this habit of political intolerance before it getting worse? If police took to their heels as you say, is it not sign of failure to deal with mobs?
Comment by sputla on 26 April 2012:
Re utloa hee hee people are overreacting, ha bare ba tla itsereletsa, he he rally ea lipolotiki hase kerkeng , hee hee masole a kena litaba ka sehlotho. tlohang mona baikaketsi ting ba bohanyetsi. DC e lokela ho itseireletsa with everything at its disposal, eka sita le ka sesole. re utloile IEC ha entse e pota le eona LCN eo re sa tsebeng na e beiloe moahloli ke mang. MA DC le itsereletse ke nahaealona ena le ke ke la phela joalo ka linonyana. Ke mang srutator ea o fileng a misguided information ea hore masole e lokela ho ba limumu? o nahana hore o tseba everything yet you know so little!!!
Comment by sputla on 26 April 2012:
scrutator stop talking like u are an authority to be cited!!!A ku ee sekolong
Comment by Mahleneka on 26 April 2012:
Che kea u t’sepa Scru,,feela mona teng oa pota kannete…
Comment by voicetruth on 26 April 2012:
I think Scu is making a lot of sense. Honestly can this single incident, moreover, the first of its kind since serious election campaigns stated, be used to judge the police force as having already failed to maintain law & order in the country? Certainly not. The police just failed to anticipate the violence, or may be the level of the violence that ensued.
The police are the guys who are trained to deal with such occasions and they also carry guns just like soldiers, as and its deemed fit. It is very clear that on this particular occasion the police made an error of judgement hence they were present in insufficient numbers and without proper ammunition to deal with the violence that erupted. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t have requisite manpower and ammunition. That being the case, I therefore, like Scu, urge the army to find something worthwhile to do rather than meddling into policing matters without invitation from the police. Those who are keen on the army involvement ought to know that the involvement of these gunmen, who are laymen when it comes to policing, will simply put many innocent lives in danger.
Comment by Lelimo on 26 April 2012:
I wish the police could at least reveal a plan on how to address this madness of politicians because if the army is to be involved, I would be afraid. Just follow that story in Mafeteng BAR, they got involved and no one is living to tell the story: no guns found by police, but they are all dead,,,,,,
Comment by oa Leribe on 26 April 2012:
Somebody is manipulating many institutions in the country
and using them for his own political gain. Army is one of those institutions, as well as some government departments. I suspect Lekanyane refused to dance for the music, then advised to retire by this guy. but would like to assure Basotho that the wind of change is at the door step.
Comment by mafa on 27 April 2012:
“That is why Scrutator is suggesting that the soldiers drink some water and cool down”. I agree
Comment by Seoli on 27 April 2012:
Scrutator strategy is quite interesting! She makes sure that she disturb a different constituency each week, such that in every week she has at least one enemy and many friends.
Comment by Lobengula on 27 April 2012:
You know people just like to comment for the sake of just at least having said something. Scru is spot on. The army of any country in the world does not go around doing proclamations on matters of internal political strife because there are relevant governmental arms to deal with that. Secondly; the military is not trained in controlling and curbing political clashes or mass protests. It can be a disaster of gigantic magnitude. Police are also specially trained; MURDERS; ROBBERY; LIVESTOCK; POLICING; HOSTAGE and DRAMA; GROUD CONTROL; TRAFFIC; GENERAL And SPECIAL INVESTGATIONS.The commissioner can therefore not deploy a livestock policeman for traffic as all these police specialities involve related legislation. What we are now experiencing is a government of intellectually bankrupt gangsters masquerating as politicians; who want to use toughhanded tactics that will at the end create serious trouble for the army and its leadership.Captain Moussa Dadis Camara of Guinea is now brain damaged; having been shot by a colleague after a coup where he instructed soldiers to shoot and kill more than one hundred protesting civillians. There must be legislation in Lesotho which can be implemented to bring in the army in a supporting act to help the police in “special” and extreme cases.
Comment by mohlalefi on 29 April 2012:
Lumelang!Hleeng!Kea le lumelisa.
Comment by mohlalefi on 29 April 2012:
Ke re!,
Itumeleng Bana ba Me,
Lona Bohle ba Nthatang!
Comment by letang on 2 May 2012:
@Senqu! Cool down guy! Put you facts well, you too has a link on politics.
The army of any country is a source of strength to the nation. But this army whose Minister of defence is the very man in power, we don’t trust it. The LDF is politically corrupt and it will take years to put things right in our army. They came out from the barracks not to make peace as their duty; but to take sides by protecting one side. Well i tell you guys when i was a child people used to trust and respect you: today LETSOANA LE MATYCOON A MAPUTSOE, ha batho ba le bona ba nyekeloa!
Comment by lieko on 2 May 2012:
@Lobengula!
Well! Well! Boy! You really put your facts well! I mean with respect; you did not study but you got yourself educated…CONGRADULATIONS! I am realy impressed! This country needs people like you, goodluck man!…bright future!
Comment by Lebona on 10 May 2012:
I am so scared! joo!
Comment by รูปภาพ on 8 April 2013:
Great post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I am inspired!
Extremely helpful information specially the remaining part :) I care
for such info much. I was looking for this certain information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.