THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO COMBINED SECOND TO EIGHTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN
CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS AND INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE
AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA
Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) which is tasked with the maintenance of law and
order.
Legislative measures
267. There has been enacted a number of laws which are aimed at maintaining peace and
order in Lesotho. These include:
Internal Security (General) Act 1984 whose aim is to consolidate all laws relating
to internal security. It criminalises all acts which may hamper peace and security in
Lesotho including interference and destruction of essential services and labels such
as an offence of sabotage. It also criminalises all forms of participation in subversive
acts including membership or association with unlawful organisations whose
activities are geared towards interference with peace and security. The Act also
prohibits individuals’ behaviour that may pose a threat to public safety, public order
and public morality such as going armed in public without a lawful excuse, 55 using
obscene, abusive, threatening or insulting language with intent to provoke a breach
of peace as well as conduct or publication which incites public violence. 56 It
proscribes manufacturing, possession and supply of dangerous weapons as well as
explosives, incendiary or corrosive devices or substances for unlawful purposes.57
The Act also criminalises training or drilling persons to use arms or practice of military
exercises, movements or evolutions without permission of the Minister.
Lesotho Defence Force Act 1996 establishes the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) to
be employed in the defence of Lesotho, in the prevention or suppression of terrorism,
55
Internal Security Act S. 25
56
Internal Security Act S. 26
57
Internal Security Act S. 50
99