Lesotho police minister probed for flouting lockdown rules
KINGDOM of Lesotho — Lesotho’s minister of police and public safety, Lehlohonolo Moramotse, is under investigation after a video showing him buying alcohol and flouting lockdown regulations went viral, a police source said.
Lesotho has prohibited the sale and purchase of alcohol during a 24-day nationwide lockdown, which began on March 29, to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
But a CCTV camera monitoring a liquor warehouse showed the police minister collecting boxes of alcohol and loading them into the boot of a silver SUV car.
“Police are investigating this matter,” a senior police source told AFP.
“Investigations are at a very advanced stage.”
Article continues after this advertisementBut police spokesman Mpiti Mopeli said he was unaware of any investigations.
Article continues after this advertisementAlthough Lesotho is the only southern African nation that has not recorded a coronavirus case, authorities ordered the lockdown amid fears that the virus could be imported from South Africa, which completely surrounds the kingdom.
South Africa has recorded 1,845 coronavirus cases.
Edited by JPV
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