Missing lesotho soldier's body found in mountains

The body of a Lesotho soldier who went missing in the Maluti Mountains last weekend has been recovered.

The soldier was with a group of Lesotho nationals looking for stolen cattle on the South African side of the border when they were allegedly ambushed by cattle raiders. One person was killed and another two injured when the soldier went missing.

Three other Lesotho nationals were killed in separate attacks on Wednesday and Thursday. A search was launched for the soldier and his body was found on Wednesday afternoon. Police confirmed the discovery after he was identified.

The discovery was made in terrain that is inaccessible by vehicle and the body was recovered using a Lesotho army helicopter.

The man is said to have suffered eight gunshot wounds, five in the head.

His body has been repatriated to Lesotho. No arrests have been made.

National police spokesman Major-General Vuyisile Ngesi said the discovery brings to five the number of people shot and killed in the Maluti Mountains last week.

“We are now investigating five cases of murder and two cases of attempted murder,” Ngesi said.

The attempted murder refers to two Lesotho nationals who managed to escape with gunshot wounds.

It is suspected the five men killed and the two injured were attacked by South African raiders.

The situation in the area remains volatile with threats of more violence between livestock owners on both sides of the border. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za