Pretoria – The South African Police Service (SAPS) says its intelligence units are on the ground investigating allegations of military-style training camps for Basotho on some South African farms.
This follows explosive claims made by Lesotho’s Police Chief, Advocate Borotho Matsoso.
In a media statement issued on Saturday, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the matter was at the top of the agenda during a high-level Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting chaired by National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.
The BOC is SAPS’ highest decision-making structure and includes all nine provincial commissioners, divisional heads and the acting national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks.
Masemola expressed confidence in the police’s ongoing efforts to dismantle organised crime syndicates across the country, saying that operations were successfully dislodging and arresting syndicate members.
#sapsHQ The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has met with all nine provincial commissioners for each province during a scheduled Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting to discuss crime combatting efforts in the country.
The… pic.twitter.com/Og8cDdYzT7
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 26, 2025
Turning to the Lesotho Police Chief’s recent remarks, SAPS confirmed that its Crime Intelligence Division has intensified its work to probe the claims and “track down and takedown such illegal activities” if they are found to exist.
The Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit has been roped in to assist with the investigation and has already conducted multiple searches at various identified farms. “No such evidence has been found to date,” the statement noted.
In a diplomatic development, Masemola has reached out to his Lesotho counterpart to address the matter directly.
“Both commissioners agreed that law enforcement intelligence structures from both countries are on the ground to investigate the existence of such camps,” Mathe said.
Masemola reassured the public that the safety and security of all people living in South Africa remains a top priority. He warned that “anyone who is found to be in the country committing illegal acts will face the full might of the law.”
As investigations continue, the SAPS urged South Africans not to panic, saying both nations’ police forces remain on high alert and are cooperating closely.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
