Mokhothu defends funeral attendance - Lesotho Times lestimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lestimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
MASERU- PRIME Minister Moeketsi Majoro says he was surprised and shocked when he saw on TV a huge crowd at the funeral service of Major General Metsing Lekhanya and his wife last week.
MASERU- PRIME Minister Moeketsi Majoro says he was surprised and shocked when he saw on TV a huge crowd at the funeral service of Major General Metsing Lekhanya
1980s coup leader Lekhanya dies
Share
Mohalenyane Phakela
MAJOR General Metsing Lekhanya, who led the 1986 coup against then Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan, died yesterday at the age of 83.
The former army commander who later traded his military fatigues for civilian attire after assuming control of the Basotho National Party (BNP), died ironically on the 35
th anniversary of his coup.
At the time of going to print, it was not clear what had caused his death as there were no official comments from his family, government or the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF). Instead his death was widely reported on social media platforms.
Lekhanya dies
MASERU-MAJOR General Metsing Lekhanya, who toppled the Leabua Jonathan-led government in a bloodless coup in 1986, has died.
He was 82.
Lekhanya toppled the BNP government on January 20, 1986 and imposed a military regime that ruled Lesotho for the next five years.
Major General Lekhanya, who was diabetic, died at the Makoanyane Military Hospital in Maseru.
He also suffered from high blood pressure.
His family says they are still awaiting post mortem results to ascertain the cause of death.
The family spokesman, Tšepo Lekhanya, said the former army commander suffered from chronic illnesses.
“He was the backbone of the family. He was our father,” Lekhanya said.