By Kefiloe Kajane
The government of Lesotho yesterday released a statement regarding a video of a woman being beaten up by two hooded men. The woman is suspected to be a factory worker going to work while other workers are on an ongoing strike at home.
The government expressed disappointment and disgust towards the video, stating that it is even more distressing to learn that another woman can be heard urging these two ‘cowards’ to beat up the victim.
“It is with great regret and disgust to have watched a video of a woman being beaten up by two hooded men on the pretense that she ought not to have reported to work, because her colleagues have chosen not to go to work as part of the ongoing strike in the textile industry.
“This unfortunate incident comes just few months after Basotho women came together to pray for life without harassment. That is another woman willing harm on another is hard to understand. Government has also learned with dismay the trashing of public property including streetlights and looting of shops as well as rental houses.
“Still, it is alleged that these acts are carried out against those textile workers who have not taken participated in the ongoing strike. Workers have rights to bargain for wages, but these rights must always be exercised within the ambit of the law and never by impinging on the rights of the public and others to safety,” the statement read.
The government also appealed to leaders of trade unions to urge their members not to be involved in any criminal activities by instilling fear to other workers who have decided not to engage in the strike.
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