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The Decline of Human Rights in Lesotho: An Evaluation of Domestic and External Determinants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2021

Richard F. Weisfelder
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Extract

When Lesotho approached independence in 1966, most Basotho intellectuals were confident that their country would not fall prey to the trend toward authoritarianism and the disregard for civil liberties evident in other parts of Africa. Such optimism was based on several unique dimensions of their national experience. Unlike most African states, Lesotho comprised a single people who shared common language, culture, and political identity. A long tradition of free speech and participatory government was reinforeced by considerable experience with competitive political parties and the Westminster parliamentary system. Broad political awareness, spurred by the highest literacy rate in Black Africa, enhanced Basotho determination to provide a model of stable, democratic institutions, in contrast to the repressive apartheid structure of the omnipresent Republic of South Africa.

Type
Research Article
Information
African Issues , Volume 6 , Issue 4 , Winter 1976 , pp. 22 - 33
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1976 

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References

Notes

1. Macartney, W.J.A., “African Westminster? The Parliament of Lesotho,” Parliamentary Affairs (London), Vol.33, No. 2 (Spring 1970), p. 140 Google Scholar.

2. Palmer, Vernon V. and Poulter, Sebastian M., The Legal System of Lesotho (Charlottesville, Virginia: The Mitchie Co., 1972), p. 321 Google Scholar. This passage was written before the 1970 coup.

3. Khaketla, B.M., Lesotho 1970: An African Coup under the Microscope, Perspectives on Southern Africa, 5 (Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1972), p. 213 CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

4. Useful efforts to specify the nature of a “double standard” can be found in Wiseberg, Laurie S., “Human Rights in Africa: Toward a Definition of the Problem of a Double Standard,” in THIS ISSUE. and Rupert Emerson, “The Fate of Human Rights in the Third World,” World Politics Vol. XXVII, No. 2 (January 1975)Google Scholar.

5. Weisfelder, Richard E., “Lesotho,” in Potholm, Christian P. and Dale, Richard (eds.). Southern Africa in Perspective: Essays in Regional Politics (New York: The Free Press, 1972), p. 128 Google Scholar.

6. For example, see Torres, John, “Leabua’s Crisis: The Failure in Lesotho,” Natal Daily News (Durban), Feburary 18, 1970 Google Scholar.

7. van Wyk, A.J., Lesotho: A Political Study, Communications of the African Institute, No. 7 (Pretoria: The African Institute of South Africa, 1967), p. 61 Google Scholar. See also, “Premier Jonathan Receives Book Gift from Africa Institute of S.A.,” Koena News (Maseru), Vol. 3, No. 112 (June 13, 1969), pp. 1–2 Google Scholar.

8. Lewis, W. Arthur, Politics in West Africa (Toronto, New York: Oxford University Press, 1965), esp. pp. 35 and 89Google Scholar.

9. The following discussion of pre-colonial experience is based upon the perceptive analysis in Thompson, Leonard, Survival in Two Worlds: Moshoeshoe of Lesotho, 1786-1870 (London: Oxford University Press, 1975), esp. pp. 171–218 Google Scholar. See also, Weisfelder, Richard F., “Defining National Purpose: The Roots of Factionalism in Lesotho,” Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Harvard University, November 1974, Ch. II, pp. 28–70 Google Scholar.

10. Thompson, op.cit., pp. 207-211.

11. Bryce, Lord James, Impressions of South Africa, 3rd ed., (New York: The Century Company, 1900), pp. 334–357 Google Scholar.

12. The following discussion of the colonial experience is based upon the analysis in Weisfelder, “Defining National Purpose .. .,” op.cit. Chs. III, IV and V, pp. 71-225.

13. The views of the Progressive Association and Lekhotla la Bafo and their relationship to subsequent movements are discussed in Weisfelder, Richard F., “Early Voices of Protest in Basutoland: The Progressive Association and Lekhotla la Bafo” African Studies Review, Vol. 17, No. 2 (September 1974), pp. 105–140 CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

14. The evolution of parliamentary institutions is discussed at length in Weisfelder, “Defining National Purpose . . .,” op.cit., Chs. V and VI, pp. 172-361.

15. Evidence of these perspectives toward authority appears in Plymen, J.D., Basutoland Marches Forward (Civics for Basutoland), (Capetown: Longmans Southern Africa, Ltd., 1962)Google Scholar.

16. For a thorough analysis of the debate over transfer of Basutoland to South Africa, see Spence, J.E., “British Policy toward the High Commission Territories,” Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 2, No. 2 (1964), pp. 221–246 CrossRefGoogle Scholar; and Richard P.Stevens, “The History of the Anglo-South African Conflict over the Proposed Incorporation of the High Commission Territories,” in Potholm and Dale, op.cit., pp. 98-109.

17. Palmer and Poulter, op.cit., pp. 238-239 and 344.

18. Basutoland, Basutoland National Council, Constitutional Commission, Report: 1963, p. 82.

19. Ibid.

20. See Britain, Great, Statutory Instruments, Africa, No. 1172, The Lesotho Independence Order, 1966 (London: HMSO, 1966), pp. 16–31 Google Scholar.

21. Palmer and Poulter, op.cit., pp. 344-348.

22. See footnote 18 above.

23. “Public Order Proclamation—1964,” Basutoland Government Gazette, Vol. CCXXIX, No. 3442 (October 23,1964), pp. 528-563.

24. The 1965 election campaign and outcome are discussed in Weisfelder, Richard F., “Power Struggle in Lesotho,” Africa Report, Vol. 12, No. 1 (January 1967), pp. 5–13 Google Scholar.

25. The longstanding conflict between the monarch and prime minister is discussed in Proctor, J.H., “Building a Constitutional Monarchy in Lesotho,” Civilisations (Brussels), Vol. 19, No. 1 (1969), pp. 64–85 Google Scholar; and Weisfelder, Richard F., The Basutoland Monarchy: A Spent Force or a Dynamic Political Factor? Papers in International Studies, Africa Series, No. 16 (Athens, Ohio: Ohio University, Center for International Studies, 1972)Google Scholar.

26. Jonathan’s statements on Westminster democracy are evaluated Weisfelder, “Lesotho,” op.cit., pp. 125-126.

27. Huntington, Samuel P., Political Order in Changing Societies (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1968), p. 160 Google Scholar.

28. Evidence of the South African role can be found in “Nat Disputes Spotlighted,” The Star (Johannesburg), June 9, 1973 (weekly air edition); and Leistner, G.M.E., South Africa’s Development Aid to African States, Occasional Papers of the Africa Institute, No. 28 (Pretoria: Africa Institute of South Africa, 1970), p. 17 Google Scholar.

29. Khaketla, op.cit., pp. 142-143. See also, “The Emergency Powers Act,” “The Internal Security (Public Meetings and Processions) Act,” “The Internal Security (Arms and Ammunitions) Act,” and “The Societies Act,” Supplements Nos. 14, 15, 17, and 20 to the Basutoland Government Gazette (Extraordinary) Vol.CCXXXI, No. 3548 (September 30, 1966), pp. 349-454, 499-534, 543-566; “The Internal Security (General) Act,” Lesotho Government Gazette, Vol. II, No. 49 (December 15, 1967), pp. 1022–1039 Google Scholar; and the “Printing and Publishing Act,” Lesotho Government Gazette (Extraordinary), Vol. II, No. 13 (May 10, 1967), pp. 150-161.

30. “The Internal Security (General) Act,” op.cit., p. 1051.

31. “The Internal Security (Public Meetings and Processions) Act,” op.cit., pp. 450-452; and the Internal Security (General) Act,” op.cit., pp. 1066-1067.

32. Weiner, Myron and LaPalombara, Joseph, “The Impact of Parties in Political Development,” in LaPalombara, Joseph and Weiner, Myron (eds.). Political Parties and Political Development, Studies in Political Development, 6 (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1966), p. 412 Google Scholar.

33. Lesotho Order-1973,” Order No. 13 of 1973, Lesotho Government Gazette (Extraordinary), Vol. VIII, No. 13 (April 13, 1973), pp. 43-51.

34. See, for example, “Internal Security (Public Meetings and Processions) Act 1973,” Act No. 15 of 1973, Lesotho Government Gazette, Supplement No. 7, Vol. VIII, No. 49 (December 7, 1973).

35. “The Suppression of Communism Order—1970,” Lesotho Government Gazette, Legal Notice No. 7 of 1970, Vol. 5, No. 11 (February 9, 1970), p. 100.

36. Quoted in Interim National Assembly, Parliamentary Debates, First Session, Second Meeting, September 14-28, 1973, p. 128.

37. “The Internal Security (General) Amendment Act—1974,” Act. No. 1 of 1974, Lesotho Government Gazette, Supplement No. 3, Vol. VIX, No. 10 (March 8, 1974), pp. 287-294.

38. Ibid., p. 290.

39. Ibid., p. 293.

40. Khaketla, op.cit., pp. 212-213.

41. “Germans Caused Crisis in Lesotho,” Sunday Times (Johannesburg), November 17, 1974.

42. Illustrations of Jonathan’s critique of South Africa can be found in “Lesotho’s Guests Talk of Dialogue,” The Friend (Bloemfontein), October 5, 1971; Wilf Nussey, “Jonathan Tolls Dialogue Deathknell,” 77»e Star (Johannesburg), October 7, 1972; and “Lesotho and Libya Condemn Racial Practices in Some African Countries,” Koena News (Maseru), Vol. 8, No. 69 (April 9, 1974), p. 1.

43. See “Lesotho Judge Hits at Police,” Natal Mercury (Durban), March 11, 1975 Google Scholar; and “Lesotho ‘Peace Corps’ Parade,” Eastern Province Herald (Port Elizabeth), August 4, 1975 Google Scholar.

44. See Stan Maher, “Lesotho—Land of Vanishing Freedoms,” Rand Daily Mail (Johannesburg), March 28, 1974; Stan Maher, “Document on a Ruthlessly Suppressed People,” Rand Daily Mail, April 5, 1975; and Norris, Bill, “Mapoteng Massacre Witness Speaks Out,” Rand Daily Mail (Johannesburg), November 23, 1974 Google Scholar.

45. “Five Lesotho Policement Found Guilty,” Rand Daily Mail (Johannesburg), April 26,1974.

46. Epstein, Dick, “Ex-Lesotho Strongman Sees Trouble Ahead,” Sunday Express (Johannesburg), April 9, 1972 Google Scholar.

47. Harford, Noel, “Lesotho—and the Cattle Thefts that Caused the Government to Lose Vital Election Votes,” The Argus (Cape Town), Feburary 7,1970 Google Scholar.

48. This conclusion is based on personal interviews with Cabinet members conducted by the author in 1966.

49. See, Lesotho, , Maseru Magistrates Court, “Judgement in the Case of Ntsu Mokhehle, Reentseng Griffith Lerotholi, Seth Peete Makotoko, et al.” (W.G.S. Driver Judgement), June 13, 1967 (mimeographed draft)Google Scholar.

50. Quoted in “Seven Lesotho Plotters are Jailed in Maseru,” Pretoria News, June 29,1971.

51. “Lesotho Coup: 104 Years’ Jail,” Daily Dispatch (East London), March 11, 1975 Google Scholar. I have not been able to obtain the vital primary document, Mr. Justice Mapetla’s actual judgement.

52. “Lesotho Judge Hits at Police,” Natal Mercury (Durban), March 11, 1975 Google Scholar.

53. “Lesotho Coup: 104 Years’ Jail,” op.cit.

54. “Lesotho Judge Hits at Police,” op.cit.

55. “Praise for Lesotho’s Judges,” and “A Judgement for Africa,” Rand Daily Mail (Johannesburg), March 12, 1975. 4 Google Scholar.

56. Wiseberg, opxit., in THIS ISSUE.

57. Khaketla, op.cit., pp. 262-291.

58. “Lesotho ‘Peace Corps’ Parade,” op.cit.

59. Gordon, Dennis, “Political Killing is Alleged in Lesotho,” Rand Daily Mail (Johannesburg), February 27,1974 Google Scholar.

60. Wellman, Peter, “Jonathan’s Police ‘Beat’ R.C. Priest,” Rand Daily Mail (Johannesburg), January 11,1974 Google Scholar.

61. “‘End Unrest’ Plan to Jonathan,” Eastern Province Herald (Port Elizabeth), April 30, 1974 Google Scholar.

62. An analysis of the roles, structures, and political orientation of the various denominations can be found in Weisfelder, The Basutoland Monarchy..., op.cit., pp. 15-17.

63. “Churches Slam Lesotho Govt.,” Natal Mercury (Durban), August 11,1975 Google Scholar.

64. Pizzey, Allen, “Lesotho Is His Damsel in Distress,” The Star (Johannesburg), June 3, 1975 Google Scholar; “Mofel i Calls Zambia and Botswana for Help; Lesotho War Warning,” Rand Daily Mail (Johannesburg), January 22, 1975; amd “Jonathan ‘Sowing Seeds of Hatred’,” The Star, January 29, 1975.

65. “Exile Has Plans to Return,” Eastern Province Herald (Port Elizabeth), October 20, 1975; and Maher, Stan, “UN Asked to Act Against Jonathan,” Rand Daily Mail (Johannesburg), April 4, 1975 Google Scholar.

66. Khaketla, op.cit., p. 334.