-  The Mokhotlong district was inaccessible by road this week after heavy snow fell in there, retarding free movement of people from within and outside.

        An attempt to remove the snow from the main roads failed when a plant normally used by the Roads department to remove the snow broke down.

        Reports showed that the main roads, which connect Mokhotlong and Butha Bothe, Thaba-Tseka and Underberg through Sani-Top border gate were impassable because of the snow.

        Police also reported that footpaths, which connect different areas in the district were also affected, and as a result, people were not able to move from their respective places for shopping and to seek help at the health centres.

            In an interview, the Matron of the Mokhotlong government hospital, Mrs Sophie Sekonyela, said the lives of people working at the seven health centres in the district would be in danger if the snow continued to fall.

    She said, “People are likely to encounter problems of lack of food and fuel, paraffin and coal”.

            The Chairperson of the District Disaster Management team, Mr Bojara Lenoesa appealed to the public not to take chances of travelling until the situation was normal to avoid deaths.

            The last heavy snowfall, which killed many animals in Mokhotlong, was experienced in 1996.

 Ends.