“The resort is deeply disturbed to inform the general public, esteemed clients, and tourism industry partners of the abhorrent treatment of our CEO and senior management staff by the Botha-Bothe police.

“We strongly condemn the malicious, irrational, and inhumane interrogation, humiliation, and detention of our CEO and interrogation of senior management staff by the Lesotho police, allegedly instigated by Mr. Wessel Bosman over a minor dispute regarding the alleged theft of some roof sheet items at the resort.”

It added: “These actions by the Lesotho police, against individuals of such high esteem in the tourism industry, have caused irreparable harm to the Afriski brand and the reputation of Lesotho tourism.

The statement said despite their repeated attempts to engage the Departments of Tourism and Labour in compliance matters, their efforts were fruitless, adding that the company’s senior management expatriate staff had to leave Lesotho in January due to the failure to obtain work permits and threats on their safety and possible imprisonment.

“The regrettable situation created by the Lesotho police has sent a negative signal to possible future investment in the tourism industry from outside Lesotho, resulting in the loss of jobs, revenue, and business stagnation.

“Alternatively, we are contemplating ceasing operations until the situation is brought to an acceptable normality. This decision will enormously impact the livelihoods of our local employees and staff, who have worked tirelessly to build the Afriski brand.”