OBITUARY:  STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF THE QUEEN MOTHER

IT IS WITH DEEPEST SORROW THAT HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES THE SUDDEN PASSING AWAY OF THE QUEEN MOTHER, HER MAJESTY 'MAMOHATO BERENG SEEISO.

THE QUEEN MOTHER MET HER UNTIMELY DEATH AT ST. JAMES HOSPITAL IN MANTS'ONYANE ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER, 2003, AT ABOUT 11:30 PM. THE QUEEN MOTHER WAS ATTENDING A RETREAT FOR THE LEGION OF ST. ANN AT AURAY MISSION, MANTS'ONYANE, IN THE THABA-TSEKA DISTRICT.

THE ROYAL FAMILY AND HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT ARE MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE QUEEN MOTHER AND THE NATION WILL BE KEPT INFORMED ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENTS.

FOLLOWING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THE NATION WILL BE IN MOURNING AND ALL FLAGS IN THE KINGDOM WILL FLY AT HALF-MAST, UNTIL HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN MOTHER HAS BEEN LAID TO REST.

SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING, THE ROYAL FAMILY, AND THE ENTIRE BASOTHO NATION. MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE.

The late Queen Mother, Her Majesty 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso

MOLIMO O BOLOKE LESOTHO LE BASOTHO.

07 September 2003