Retired General Justin Metsing Lekhanya (born April 7, 1938 in Thaba-Tseka, Lesotho) was the prime minister, defense minister and chairman of the military council of Lesotho from January 24, 1986 until May 2, 1991. Lekhanya was commander of the army when he overthrew Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan in a military coup following revelations that he had been the victim of a hoax by South African exiled PAC military commanders, Potlako Leballo and Bernard Leeman (who had served Lekhanya as a Lesotho Paramilitary Force Major in 1977 under a false identity), that had resulted in financing the Lesotho Liberation Army against himself. Lekhanya immediately sought to establish better relations with South Africa which were strained due to Jonathan's support of the African National Congress. Lekhanya also gave more power to Lesotho's king at first, but later came into dispute with him, and he deposed the king in another military coup in 1990. The king was later restored, and Lekhanya himself was overthrown in a 1991 military coup. Lekhanya then became leader of the Basotho National Party, Lesotho's main opposition party, which only has a few seats in Parliament and, according to Lekhanya, has been the victim of fraud in the last several elections in Lesotho. April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... List of the Heads of Government of Lesotho Political Parties ... A defence minister (Commonwealth English) or defense minister (American English) is a cabinet portfolio (position) which regulates the armed forces in a sovereign nation. ... January 24 is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... 1991 (MCMXCI) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Joseph Leabua Jonathan (b. ... The African National Congress (ANC) is a centre-left political party, and has been South Africas governing party (in a coalition) since the establishment of majority rule in May 1994. ... This article is about the year. ...

BOOKS

• Leeman, B.N.T. "Lesole la Mokhehle" (Soldier for Mokhehle) University of Azania Press 1993, 2nd edition 2002
• Leeman, B.N.T."Lesotho and the Struggle for Azania 1780- 1986)" University of Azania 1986 (Doctrinal thesis Bremen University, Germany)
• Leeman, B.N.T. (1995) "The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania" in "Africa Today", Australian National University

Mphanya, Ntsukunyane (2004) "A Brief History of the Basutoland Congress Party" Morija, Lesotho