Lesotho Times
Lesotho's widely read newspaper, published every Thursday and distributed throughout the country and in some parts of South Africa. Contact us today: News: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] Telephone: +266 2231 5356
Tokelo Khausela
TWO Basotho working in Newcastle, Kwa-Zulu Natal, have died and 17 others injured after two factories were engulfed in a raging inferno.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and international Relations, Mpotjoane Lejone, confirmed the deaths in a statement this week.
He said the source of the fire was unknown but had injured a lot of workers at the two factory establishments called China City and Buy and Pay.
“Seventeen Basotho were injured and taken to hospital, three of who are in a critical condition with severe wounds,” Mr Mpotjoane said.
“Eight of them were released with minor injuries while four are still in hospital but not critical. Unfortunately, two have passed away and were taken to the mortuary.
Mr Mpotjoane said the manager of the two factories, Tśeliso Mohlomi, had informed them that the factories’ owner had committed to assist all the injured employees as well as in repatriating the two corpses back home for burial.
“The owner will hand out food parcels to the employees and has organized for 68 employees who worked in both factories to be relocated and work for sister factories as they were not only working but also residing in the factories’ compounds.”
Mr Mpotjoane said the government of Lesotho encourages Basotho residing and working in south Africa to abide by the laws and regulations of that country to maintain good relations between the two countries.
He said one of the reasons that Basotho go and seek employment in South Africa was due to high unemployment in Lesotho. The government of Lesotho was thus working on creating a pool of jobs to keep Basotho here at home.
“There are potential key economic drivers such as the renewable energy that is going to create jobs for Basotho and the government of Lesotho is in talks with the government of South Africa about supplying electricity to them…,” he said.
Mr Mpotjoane said other projects like the construction of the Polihali Dam under Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project would create many more jobs, thus curbing the high rate of unemployment in Lesotho.
