Minister arrested for escaping lockdown to buy alcohol

Lehlohonolo Moramotse, Lesotho’s Minister of Police and Public Security, was caught buying alcohol during the country’s 24-day nationwide lockdown, which was due to end late on April 21. Moramotse was required to appear in court on April 20 but failed to appear, so he was arrested at his office in the capital Maseru that same day.

Lesotho Minister of Police and Public Security Lehlohonolo Moramotse. Photo: Cameroon Magazine.

"He was arrested and held overnight at the police headquarters in Maseru," police spokesman Mpiti Mopeli said. "I can confirm that the minister was detained at the police station last night," the spokesman added. "He faces charges of breaching the lockdown and illegally connecting water pipes to his home."

Lesotho is one of the few African countries that has not reported any cases of the coronavirus. Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has imposed a nationwide lockdown since March 29 due to concerns that the virus had entered the country from South Africa, which surrounds Lesotho. South Africa has recorded 3,300 cases of the virus and nearly 60 deaths from the disease.