The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety officially handed over an assortment of 54 new vehicles to Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) in Maseru on Monday.

LMPS has planned to buy a total of 132 vehicles to be distributed in all police stations and posts throughout the country. The remaining 78 will be bought before the end of the year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Lesao Lehohla said the vehicles will address a long time problem of shortage of transport for the police to perform their duties effectively to prevent and investigate crime.

He urged the police to protect and maintain the vehicles saying dedication to duty is in mind than anywhere else.

Mr. Lehohla also appealed to the police to refrain from using alcohol while on duty, reminding them that a police officer is on duty 24 hours a day.

He said the vehicles have already been distributed to different police stations and posts throughout the country.

There are over 53 police stations countrywide with more than 3000 Police Officers.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Officer Dr Motloheloa Phooko, Assistant Minister of Home Affairs Ms. Lineo Molise, Commissioner of Police Mrs. 'Malejaka Letooane and other senior police officers.

Source: LENA 01/09/2008