This Day in History: January 25, 1986
Additional Date: January 25, 1986
Sixty African National Congress (ANC) refugees are airlifted out of Lesotho to counter South Africa's threat of a blockade against that country. A year before they were deported, Lesotho refused to sign a non aggression pact with South Africa. Subsequently, on 1 January 1986 the South African Government closed its borders with Lesotho, cutting off fundamental food and fuel supplies. Fourteen days later, forces led by Maj-Gen Metsing Lekhanya who had been in talks with the apartheid government in South Africa seized power. The National Assembly was dissolved, and executive and legislative powers were vested in the king. Maj-Gen Metsing Lekhanya became head of a military head of state.