Mugabe briefed on Lesotho poll preps

Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane says his country is heading for elections soon in line with the SADC peace process.

Thabane said this when he briefed journalists after meeting SADC chairperson President Robert Mugabe at State House in Harare this afternoon.

His visit to Zimbabwe was aimed at briefing President Mugabe on progress made in implementing the SADC peace process in his country following disturbances around the alleged coup in June this year.

Prime Minister Thabane fled to neighbouring South Africa alleging the military had staged a coup de tat.

The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security was mandated to monitor the peace process in that country following the alleged coup.

The government, led by Prime Minister Thabane, was asked to recall Parliament which he had stopped from sitting fearing impeachment, while his deputy Metsing agreed to work together for peace and security in the country.

Tensions had been simmering in the Southern African mountain kingdom between the prime minister his deputy and leader of the military, General Kamoli, but the situation came to a head when the military disarmed the police, leading to Thabane's escape to South Africa.

Several meetings were held under the mediation of the SADC organ to broker peace and stability among the parties in Lesotho.

President Mugabe was called to chair a summit in South Africa where parties agreed to work together and work towards the eventual holding of elections in that country.

Prime Minister Thabane updated President Mugabe that the situation has improved except for security concerns.

The mountain kingdom of Lesotho has experienced several coups since independence from Britain in 1966.