Lesotho - They Say, We Say...

Other countries say...

"Lesotho has a high level of crime and foreigners are frequently targeted, robbed and sometimes killed. Police have reported the presence of a number of armed gangs. Lesotho’s high unemployment rate, aggravated by the return of large numbers of unemployed miners from South Africa, and the ongoing effects of social upheaval due to high HIV/AIDS rates of infection, have contributed to an increasing number of armed robberies, break-ins, and incidents of carjacking. These types of crimes occur primarily in the capital city of Maseru, but can occur elsewhere in Lesotho. Crime scenes have included popular restaurants, and other locations foreigners are known to frequent. Victims have included foreign diplomats and members of foreign aid missions. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid large groups and demonstrations, and not to walk in the city even during daylight. " US State Department

"Muggers in central Maseru, even in daylight, often target foreign nationals, frequently at knifepoint. ... The political situation is generally calm. There are periodic disturbances by students protesting about a change in government policy towards student bursaries. There have been two shooting incidents in recent months involving political figures, most recently a fatal attack on an opposition MP on 2 June 2006. You should avoid large gatherings of people." UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Lesotho says...

"The people of Lesotho, the Basotho, will themselves add an inimitable flavour of your experience. Lesotho is a fenceless country; a whole 11 716 square miles of land surface that is unrestricted to discovery. Ponytrek and stay overnight in our villages to experience our traditional hospitality.

Cool yourself in our bilharzias-free waters in natural rock pools. Hike, bird-watch, fish, abseil the cliffs and watch the countless stars that dot our clear sky at night. You will, in the end, agree that when Lesotho was created, it was with a purpose to restoring sanity in a life that in modern times suffers from the hustle-bustle of cities and the industrial culture. As Basotho, we naturally are a little prejudiced. Come and experience the pleasures of Lesotho yourself. You be the judge." Tourism Development Corporation