On Saturday, the Lesotho Defence Force took over the radio and TV stations, resulting in a total black out in broadcast. The army had also taken over several police stations, including the police headquarters.

The incidents have also forced Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane and one of the leaders in the Coalition Government, Thesile Maseribane, to go into hiding.

“Although no one has claimed to have taken over the Government through the use of force, by all accounts, the activities of the Lesotho Defence Force thus far bear the hallmarks of a coup d’état.

“The South African Government, consistent with the AU position on unconstitutional change of government, wishes to reaffirm the AU position and warn that such unconstitutional change of government shall not be tolerated,” Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said in a media briefing, on Saturday, in Pretoria.

Available: http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/sa-condemns-military-take-over-lesotho