In explaining the SA interest in this operation, it is important to focus our attention on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. In explaining the mandate of operation Boleas, the Acting South African President Mangosuthu Buthelezi argued that their objectives were three pronged, “to secure the Dam, restore order in the security establishment and clear protests from the Royal Palace”. It was very clear where the South African interests were and what motivated their intervention in Lesotho. Water was the primary objective. Even the authorities in Lesotho then, did not claim that the water project was in danger when they invited SA to come and quell the alleged coups d’etat. The history of international relations contains many examples where states have acted unilaterally outside the confines of international law. We must accept that, “according to foreign affairs officials, South Africa sent troops to Lesotho amongst others to defend Katse Dam”. This was the result of indications that some Lesotho troops attempted to bombard the Katse dam after battling SA troops. Therefore, it can be argued that, “South Africa’s intervention into Lesotho was thus driven more by material interests than political and humanitarian imperatives”. We can confidently conclude that the SA intervention was influenced by realism.