Maseru, Sept. 04 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations has allayed fears of Basotho, saying there are no reports of Basotho affected at the CBD building in Johannesburg, South Africa (SA) which was gutted by an inferno this week.
Speaking with the Agency on Monday morning, Public Relations Manager in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Teboho Mapetla said while reports have shown that almost 80 people died in this accident, there is no news linking some of these victims to Basotho.
She appealed to families who have their loved ones in neighbouring South Africa not to worry or listen to social media reports, adding the government through her Ministry will keep updating the nation should there be any changes.
Mrs. Mapetla expressed condolences to those affected saying Lesotho and South Africa share cordial relations.
Meanwhile, she reiterated her Ministry’s commitment to ensure that relations between Lesotho and diaspora are maintained, while also working towards enhancing ties between Lesotho and other countries of the world.
Reports from South Africa have shown that at Johannesburg CBD the building is found at Albert Street, situated on the corner of Delvers Street, was officially opened in 1954 as the non-European affairs department, thus serving as the central pass office.
During the apartheid era, it is said that the SA government used the building as an administrative centre to control the movement of black people in Johannesburg.
