Warden Message

Warden Message
U.S. Embassy
Maseru, Lesotho
May 16, 2008

According to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), there were several security incidents that occurred the evening of Tuesday, May 13 in Maseru, Maputsoe, and Butha-Buthe.

Six individuals armed with semi-automatic weapons and wearing military-type uniforms opened fire on unarmed police and military units near the Thetsane Traffic Circle in Maseru.  Later the same evening perpetrators also opened fire on a combined Lesotho-South African police unit conducting a joint operation near Maputsoe and allegedly attacked and bound a National Security Service  (NSS) officer near Butha-Buthe, leaving him by the side of the road.  Local residents later discovered the NSS officer, who was unharmed.  No injuries were reported in either incident.  The motives for the attacks are unknown.

These incidents serve as another reminder to U.S. citizens of the need to remain alert at all times to the potential for impersonators of official security and law enforcement personnel and to the critical crime situation in general throughout Lesotho.  If you encounter what may be an unauthorized road-block or otherwise suspicious situation, divert your routing and immediately drive to a safe area.  Avoid driving at night if at all possible.  You may also wish to consider reporting the occurrence to authorities at the nearest police station.
  
The U.S. Embassy continues to encourage U.S. citizens living in or traveling in Lesotho to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Lesotho.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy.

The Consular Section of the Embassy in Maseru, Lesotho is located at 254 Kingsway Avenue, Maseru 100.  American citizens can call 22-312-666 during office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday.  For after-hours emergencies an American officer from the Embassy can be reached by cellular telephone at 5888-4035.  The e-mail address for the Consular Section in Maseru is USConsularMaseru@state.gov.