Mohloai Mpesi
The planned construction of a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) military base at Katse Dam has been met with murmurs of disapproval.
A tentative agreement for the SANDF to build the project was reached during the second session of the Lesotho/South Africa Bi-national Commission (BNC) in Maseru on April 23, 2025.
But allowing South Africa to build a military base in Lesotho has been described by some MPs as tantamount to surrendering the Kingdom’s sovereignty to a foreign country.
The BNC session, led by Prime Minister Sam Matekane and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the military base would enhance the two countries’ military cooperation.
But others disagree.
“While the idea of cooperation between the two nations is commendable, the prospect of a South African military base being established on our soil is daunting. If it is funded by South Africa, their army could enter Lesotho at will,” Machesetsa Mofomobe, who leads the Basotho National Party (BNP), said in the National Assembly this week amid cheers from other opposition MPs.
Mr Mofomobe claimed that “more than a quarter of a million Basotho” he had polled on social media opposed the project.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Limpho Tau, however rejected Mr Mofomobe’s sentiments saying the proposed military base would not give South Africa carte blanche to do as it pleases in Lesotho.
In fact, Mr Tau said the proposed military base would be used exclusively by the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF):
“This issue has been misinterpreted. The South African military will not operate in Lesotho,” he said.
But Mr Mofomobe was not convinced, even accusing the government of trying to mislead the public into believing the deal was inspired by SADC.
“The SADC’s involvement would imply a multilateral agreement and commit funds, but this is strictly bilateral between Lesotho and South Africa,” Mr Mofomobe said.
The BNP leader further insisted on the need for clarity regarding the funding and control of the bases.
“If this initiative is entirely funded by South Africa, it becomes a matter of concern for our sovereignty,” Mr Mofomobe said.
Mr Tau insisted the issue was being misconstrued.
“This regime will not allow the establishment of a military base for any foreign power on our soil. Our sovereignty and independence as a nation must be upheld.”
He reiterated that any military bases would primarily serve the LDF.
Addressing a rally in Butha-Buthe over the weekend, All Basotho Convention (ABC) leader, Nkaku Kabi, also weighed in mocking Prime Minister Sam Matekane over the issue.
Mr Kabi said allowing SA intimate access to Lesotho and its military, was “no different from Matekane leaving his wife with another man in his bedroom and walking away”.
Mr Kabi said the proposed deal would provide South Africa the opportunity “to attack this country from within”.
“Sam invited another man from South Africa to his bedroom and left the man with his wife. South Africa demands to build a base in Lesotho; Sam takes a pen and signs without hesitation. This will weaken our security,” Mr Kabi said.
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