MASERU - The Ministry of Health suspects no foul play in the fire that gutted two offices at the ministry’s headquarters on Wednesday morning.
news
July 19, 2019
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
Ministry suspects no foul play in fire
Finance building
The ministry’s principal secretary Lefu Manyokole told a press briefing yesterday that although the cause of fire remained unknown, it however, looked like an electric appliance sparked the fire. Mr Manyokole highlighted the importance of employees switching of electrical appliances at the end of their shift before they went home to avoid such incidents. “We have no reason to believe there was any malicious desire for the fire. There is nothing that can be hidden but we do not rule out anything. We will allow investigations to ensue as well as the law to take its course,” he said.
Enjoy our daily newsletter from today
Access exclusive newsletters, along with previews of new media releases.
The ministry can also not immediately estimate the cost of the damage incurred. The acting director of finance in the ministry, Mpheteng Ts'ukulu, confirmed that the fire started in his office which is situated on the first floor adjacent to the planning office by the entrance. Mr Ts’ukulu said most of the documents which went up in smoke were reports, adding however that all payment records were safe because they were not in his office.
The Minister of Health Nkaku Kabi confirmed that only the two offices were affected by the fire. Mr Kabi said he was informed about the fire at around 5am that morning. He however, did not take the information seriously because he thought it was supposed to have already been trending on social media. But later when he received pictures of the fire, he realised how serious the matter was and he rushed to the scene where police had already put the fire under control, he said.
Tailored for you
