Maseru, June 09 — The community of Maputsoe has raised concerns over a Chinese company which is suspected of securing a dubious sand mining deal that has marginalized local businesses and workers.
According to Maputsoe Business Committee Public Relations Officer Mr. Teele Chaka, the government awarded this Chinese company the Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Project Phase II, saying the controversy erupted following community complaints about property damage caused by the heavy machinery of the unnamed sand supplier.
“It was revealed that the company had procured a significant quantity of river sand from these “preferred” suppliers” he said, saying the supplier only began obtaining the necessary permits after community members raised concerns about the project’s environmental and structural impacts.
He added that the alleged deal has sparked a division between the local chief, who initially approved the undocumented contract, and the area councilor, saying this has left the community divided and aggrieved to a point that local police had to intervene. . .
