Security Lesotho

ldf deputy commander briefing soldiers.

the internal , external security of lesotho responsibility of defence commission, established , defined article 145 of lesotho national constitution. prime minister chairman ex officio, , there 6 other defence commission members, namely commander , deputy commander of lesotho defence force, commissioner , assistant commissioner of lesotho mounted police service, , director , deputy director of lesotho national security service. defence commission has power strategically direct defence force, police, , prison service, not security service, answerable government. defence commission has power appoint or remove senior staff of defence force, police, , prison service, not security service, director , deputy director personal appointments of prime minister.

the lesotho defence force (ldf) established under article 146 of national constitution, , charged maintenance of internal security , defence of lesotho. chief officer designated commander constitution, , holds rank of lieutenant general. ldf has total strength of on 3,000. largest component infantry, supported small artillery, logistics, , air force units, , single armoured reconnaissance company.

the lesotho mounted police service (lmps) established under article 147 of national constitution, , charged maintenance of law , order. chief officer designated commissioner constitution. lmps provides uniformed policing, criminal detection, , traffic policing. there specialist units dealing high-tech crime, immigration, wildlife, , terrorism. current force has existed, despite changes of name, continuously since 1872.

the lesotho national security service (lnss) established under article 148 of national constitution, , charged protection of national security. chief officer designated director constitution. lnss intelligence service, reporting directly government. power appoint or dismiss director vested directly in prime minister.