Africa-Press – Lesotho. In their resolve to capacitate the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), the People’s Republic of China donated 30 motorbikes valued at M2 million to the former on Thursday at LMPS Headquarters.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Lei Kezhong said the motorcycles have been donated by the China’s Ministry of Public Security to
their Lesotho counterparts, the Ministry of Police and Public Safety. Kezhong said he hopes the bikes will help strengthen the safety situation and law enforcement.
The Ambassador said the donation not only reflects close cooperation between two nations but also manifests “strong” bilateral relations between Lesotho and China.
“China and Lesotho are good friends, brothers and partners and our relationship is such that we do
not interfere with one another’s internal affairs,” he said. Expressing a vote of confidence to LMPS, he thanked the institution for protecting the Chinese
nationals in Lesotho. Appreciating the gesture, the Commissioner of Police (COMPOL) Holomo Molibeli said the assistance is the culmination of his visit to China in 2018 with the then
Minister of Police and Public Safety Hon. ‘Mampho Mokhele where amongst policing issues discussed, the bikes were said to remedy the law enforcement challenges.
The COMPOL said the motorbikes will serve Maseru Central Business District (CBD) and surrounds. Molibeli complained of the crimes that had infested the capital city, citing
robbery, house breaking and car theft. He further mentioned that this contribution will help to fight crime and manage the traffic in the CBD. He promised that
the bikes will make a contribution in crime reduction to “acceptable” levels, adding that they will also boost economic prospects and the investors’ confidence will enhance.
The Commissioner said they have recently established the patrolling unit which comprises Police foot patrolling squad, bicycles, motor vehicle squad and said they will have the horse patrolling squad.
For her part, the Minister of Police and Public Safety Hon. ‘Mamoipone Senauoane expressed gratitude on behalf of the government of Lesotho to China, urging the
Ambassador to relay the government’s indebtedness to leadership of his country. “The government is delighted to receive this generous donation, we welcome this token of
diplomatic relations between the two countries,” she expressed. Senauoane said, not only are the motorbikes going to assist the police in their work, but they will
make a contribution to the economy with the crime rate that will reduce. The Minister said the police play an important role in the society – of maintaining law and
order. She said it is the government’s duty to ensure that this institution is resourced in order to discharge their mandate well. The motorcycles are
fitted with communication equipment, red lamps and blue lamps. Not only will they perform patrolling functions but will also be used as ambulances and in escorts.
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