By Kefiloe Kajane
The minister of communications, science and technology Tṧoinyana Rapapa this week reported to parliament that Lesotho has lost over M31-million in theft and vandalism of telephone, radio and television towers and cables.
He indicated that in Semonkong, there was vandalism on television and radio towers where wires were cut off, a damage he said cost M100 000. He said still in Roma, there were tower wires that were stolen.
Rapapa indicated that the vandalism extended to all districts in the country. He appealed to Basotho to stop the acts of theft and vandalism of technology equipment as it is important as it enabled the public to access news.
“There are many services that you as the public will not get when the theft and vandalism continues such as education, issuing of Identity documents and death certificates.
“So this means these people committing such acts are sabotaging everyone. I would also like to appeal to the government officials to hold public gatherings where they can teach the public about the importance of such towers in their communities. This might help because may be people do not have knowledge of the importance of technology,” he said.
He said in 2015, the International Telecommunication Union (LTU) encouraged countries to move from monologue to digital. He said Lesotho accepted the call that is when it built television and radio towers. He said the ministry of communications, science and technology then built 20 towers moving from monologue to digital.
This comes after in June this year, at the press briefing, Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC)’s managing director, Mohato Seleke, told the media that the company was incurring huge financial losses due to theft of the company’s property, especially the cables.
Through vandalism, the LEC is plunged into financial disarray as cables are ripped open to steal copper which is then sold at scrap yards. Seleke said the acts hamper efficient power supply services and the energy network.
“It is really a huge problem. We really appeal to our people to stop this because as a way to recover that loss, we pass it to the consumers that is why you will see tariffs increasing slightly because we are trying to recover the losses we have incurred.
“It happens everywhere in the country, but so far Quthing ranks number one. We want people to know that such criminal acts are cause for concern and are also a danger to our society,” Seleke cried out.
