Pascalinah Kabi
Police and Public Safety Minister Monyane Moleleki says Lesotho has achieved several milestones during its 50 years of independence from British rule.
Mr Moleleki made the remark on Friday as he handed over 15 motorcycles to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), adding the bikes would help the agency deliver better service to the nation which is celebrating its golden jubilee this year.
He further said the ministry bought 100 horses for the police this year and expected to buy 100 more before December to boost service-delivery particularly in areas inaccessible by vehicles.
“We are celebrating 50 years of independence this year and these motorcycles are some of the many achievements the country has recorded.
“When Lesotho became independent in 1966, I was a high school student and I think most of you here will be alive to witness the country’s 100th anniversary.
“I don’t know about your plans but I know I have no plans of living to witness it so it’s time that we ask ourselves real questions about what we have achieved besides horses, motorcycles and buildings.
“In 50 years of independence, we have built approximately 2700 kilometers of tarred road compared to half a meter the British colony built in 98 years. During the British colony, less than 30 families had access to electricity while in 50 years of our independence, over 203 000 families now have access to electricity,” Mr Moleleki said.
He highlighted that such achievements should be celebrated by every Mosotho.
“Let’s celebrate this independence anniversary with courage that we are going somewhere as a country; that we are in the right direction.
“Motorbikes are an important asset for the LMPS to escort His Majesty, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers and VIPs like presidents visiting the country.
“Failure to escort these very important people due to lack of such transportation would mean the service is not properly executing its duties hence why we have bought you 15 new motorcycles and five more would soon be coming.”
Besides escorting VIPs, the minister said the bikes would be used to combat crime in hard-to-reach areas.
Mr Moleleki said he strongly believed the Lithoteng Police Station vehicle would not have been stolen at Matala traffic circle where officers had left it as they attended to a traffic jam a fortnight ago, if the police had such motorbikes which move easily even in heavy traffic.
He urged the LMPS management to ensure the police are patrolling such key junctions on their bikes to ensure the smooth flow of traffic especially during rush hour.
In his address, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Masupha Masupha said the motorcycles would go a long way in helping the LMPS fight crime.
“Having trouble attending emergencies and areas congested with traffic will now be a thing of the past as these bikes will help us reach these places without any problem,” DCP Masupha said.
He further said there were complaints from the courts that the police were failing to deliver summons in remote areas on time—a challenge he said would now be a thing of the past because of the provision of the motorbikes which can easily access such hard-to-reach areas.
Comments are closed.