MASERU – Network operators in the country have expressed concern over continual vandalism in their sites, thus causing connection disruptions.
Speaking with the Agency, Econet Telecom Lesotho Public Relations Specialist, Mr. Retsélisitsoe Nkhahle said the recent occurrence happened at Ha Sephapho gate, Mafeteng where LEC infrastructure was vandalised, thereby affecting Econet connections, while also delaying service delivery.
He explained that in 2025 alone, the entity lost half a million in repairing and replacing their infrastructure in different parts of the country, following acts of destruction in different sites and other parts of the country.
Therefore, he said while operators are striving hard to support the country achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), efforts such as these ones are undermining efforts meant to contribute towards developing Lesotho technologically, digitally and otherwise.
“Protection of this equipment demands concerted efforts from all concerned stakeholders including the community,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nkhahle explained that together with LMPS, Econet officers are in Mohale’s Hoek today, where the intention is to hold gatherings with communities in order to inform and educate them about the importance of protecting the equipment.
In the same note, Vodacom Lesotho Public Relations Manager, Mr. Lebohang Chefa indicated that vandalism is common in different districts and sites, where people steal cables, solar and batteries amongst others, thus affecting telecommunication services.
As this is the case, Mr. Chefa mentioned that Vodacom regularly holds gatherings intended to educate the society the need to own up and take charge of network infrastructure placed in the areas so as to ease communication.
Network infrastructure is reported to be the combination of hardware and software components enabling connectivity and communication between devices, users and application within an organisation whereas network infrastructure is the hardware and software aimed at facilitating network connectivity and communication as according to International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
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