Maseru, Oct. 22 — The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) second batch of the contingent that was deployed in Nangade, Cabo Delgado Province under the Southern African Development Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) has safety returned home on Saturday.
LDF Public Affairs Second Lieutenant (SL) Sakeng Lekola told the Agency on Sunday that Prime Minister Mr. Ntsokoane Matekane welcomed the second batch of the army contingent that was deployed in Mozambique at Moshoeshoe I International Airport on Saturday.
He said the achievements of the LDF contingent that was deployed at Nangade, in the Cabo Delgado Province in Mozambique is immeasurable considering that the province has a total of 58 villages.
However, he said upon its arrival in 2021, the LDF contingent found that only eight (8) villages were still remaining behind while the rest had fled the place for fear of their lives due to insurgencies attack.
SL Lekola further noted that other villages had been destroyed by the insurgents, schools and health facilities damaged as well as essential services like water networks and power supply infrastructure vandalised.
However, he commended the LDF members for having successfully controlled the areas to the extent that all the villages have been restored and the schools as well as health facilities have returned back to normal.
‘’Farmers have also returned to work in their fields to produce food for their families’’ he applauded.
The army Officer was unable to say how many of the LDF members returned other that saying it was the same number as that one which went to Mozambique recently to replace the ones returning home.
The first batch of the LDF contingent returned home last week and the final one is expected to arrive early next week but due to the small number expected, it will be welcomed at the Mejametalana Air Wing and not at Moshoeshoe I International airport.
The LDF members are part of the SADC army deployed in Mozambique since 2021 to restore peace and order in the Cabo Delgado Province in Mozambique, after the insurgents in that country caused havoc leaving many villagers dead while others were fleeing their homes.
Lesotho has since lost three soldiers one of which was reported to have died due to malaria infection while others died on the battlefield.
