Maseru -- The Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Mr. Limpho Tau has on Monday in the National Assembly refuted allegations concerning construction of a military base at Katse for South African (SA) army.

In his statement, Mr Tau said the allegations were untruthful and a misinterpretation of what the government of Lesotho and South Africa agreed upon during the Bi-national Commission Summit held in the country a few weeks ago.

He emphasized that the government cannot allow construction of any foreign military base in the country, clarifying that following deployment of Botswana and SA armies in the country due to 1998 political instability, a South African military official came to Lesotho to analyse damage and it was agreed that Katse military base would be reconstructed and used by Lesotho Defence Force.

He also reminded the House that defence cooperation between the two countries is not a new thing, reflecting on the agreement reached at the SA and Lesotho Ministerial Council in November 2022 and 2013.

He cited that it was even revealed in one of those meetings that Oxbow was identified as mountain warfare, where military personnel from the Southern African Development Community would train.

He therefore emphasized and allayed fears of Basotho on re-construction of Katse military base.

He concluded by giving the House details of a Memorandum of Understanding between Lesotho and South Africa on Defence Cooperation which include among others, cooperation in the field of military health, training and sharing of skills between military personnel.

Meanwhile the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Mr. Lejone Mpotjoane also delivered a statement regarding the Bi-national Commission summit held in the country last month