Keiso Mohloboli
The wife of former Public Works and Transport Principal Secretary Lebohang Phooko was burnt to death in her Ha Leqele home on Monday morning, the Lesotho Times has learnt.
‘Mamakoae Phooko was with her son, Makoae, in the house when the house was gutted by fire at around 2am.
According to a member of the family, former Public Service minister Dr Motloheloa Phooko, it was not yet clear what started the fire as the tragedy was still being investigated by the police.
“The tragic incident took place in the early hours of Monday and unfortunately, ‘Mamakoae was trapped in the burning house and died in the fire,” Dr Phooko said.
“When both Makoae and his mother woke up, the fire was already out of control and obstructing their way out of the house.
“Makoae is in his late 20s and sustained terrible cuts from windowpanes as he broke his away out of the house. The fire had spread to his mother’s bedroom so he could not rescue her through the exit he had created.
“Because of the injuries he sustained, Makoae was rushed to Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital.”
Police spokesperson Clifford Molefe confirmed the fire but would not give details.
“There is such an incident where a woman was burnt in her house in Ha Leqele on 29 May 2016. I can’t give out more details of the matter because police investigations are still in progress,” Superintendent Molefe said.
