Lesotho anarchy

Lesotho is in political crisis. Two days after a military coup was reported, it was unclear last night who was in charge of the mountain kingdom.

Both the prime minister and his deputy were said to be in South Africa.

The crisis deepened as the police appeared to have deserted the capital city, Maseru, fearing for their lives following an attack on their headquarters on Saturday.

Last night a Lesotho parliamentary official told The Times that he did not know who was in charge.

"It has not been confirmed as to who is acting commander-in-chief," said the official, who did not want to be named. "All I can confirm is that the outcome of the crisis will be determined by President [Jacob] Zuma."

Prime Minister Thomas Thabane fled to South Africa on Saturday as soldiers of the Lesotho Defence Force stormed the Maseru Central and Ha-Mabote police stations, and police headquarters in the capital, and confiscated weapons.

Shuttle diplomacy appeared to be under way yesterday, but it was unclear who the Lesotho leaders were meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Mothejoa Metsing said he was in Pretoria for talks at "the invitation of the South African president".

President Jacob Zuma heads the Southern African Development Community's security committee.

Also in South Africa for the meeting, according to the parliamentary official, was Public Service Minister Motloheloa Phooko, who under the Lesotho constitution would take charge in the absence of the premier and his deputy.

Zuma's spokesman, Mac Maharaj, would not confirm the meeting, referring all queries to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation.

Clayson Monyela, who speaks for the department, said he was not aware of the meeting. He said the foreign minsters of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia were at an emergency meeting in Pretoria last night to discuss the situation.

A South African diplomat confirmed that Thabane and Metsing were due to meet Zuma last night.

"Basically no one is in charge ['in Lesotho] and all parties are going to solve the problem outside," the diplomat said.

Soldiers aligned to Lieutenant-General Tlali Kamoli, who was fired by Thabane on Friday, raided several police stations.

District police commissioner Mofokeng Kolo confirmed that one officer was killed in the attack.

Thabane has said that Kamoli and his partners, mainly the Lesotho Congress for Democracy, are against him because of his anti-corruption stance.

Just before dawn Mahao's home just outside Maseru was sprayed with automatic gunfire. He, his wife and three sons were in the house.

"At around 4am I heard some gunshots," his wife, Mamphanya Mahao, said, describing how she ushered their sons to a safe place in the house and waited.

"The gunshots went on for about 30 minutes" after which her husband fled. The family dog was killed.

However, the army has denied the coup allegations, saying soldiers disarmed police officers following intelligence leads that officers intended to arm opposition politicians.

Lesotho Congress for Democracy supporters were planning to march today to demand the reopening of Lesotho's parliament, which Thabane suspended on June 10 following a push for a vote of no confidence in him.

Yesterday, the police headquarters in Maseru was still abandoned and most officers were in hiding.

Maseru residents stocked up on food and basic necessities.