A 20-year-old woman from Ha-Mahlekefane, Botha Bothe district, is currently in police custody following an alleged abortion on March 24.
According to reports, the woman, who was four months pregnant, purchased Cytotec pills from an individual she claims to have met on Facebook.
She travelled from Maseru to Hlotse on March 22, where she used the pills to terminate her pregnancy.
On March 25, members of the community noticed that her pregnancy had been terminated and alerted the police. Subsequently, the foetus was discovered in a nearby forest. The woman is expected to appear in court once the investigation is complete.
In another case from Mohale’s Hoek, Bokang Semakale, a 46-year-old man from Maqhena, appeared before the Mohale’s Hoek Magistrate Court on March 26, charged with the murder of his girlfriend. The deceased, Lillo Posholi, 39, also from Maqhena, was found dead at her residence on March 24, in the early hours of the morning.
According to police reports, the deceased and the accused were in a romantic relationship. Investigations revealed that on the night of March 23, they were at a local tavern and left together after 10 PM. Upon returning to her home, the accused allegedly assaulted her, causing severe injuries.
When Semakale noticed she was unwell, he went to a neighbour to borrow money for medical assistance. Alarmed by her condition, the neighbour accompanied him to check on her and discovered that she was deceased. The body was found in bed with multiple injuries, including an open wound above her right eye. A suspected weapon was recovered at the scene. Semakale remains in custody and is scheduled to reappear in court on April 9.
In a separate incident from Mohale’s Hoek, Kotelo ‘Ngoae, a 26-year-old man from Mpharane, Ha-Sekunyane, appeared in the High Court on March 17, charged with the murder of two women. The report indicates that Nthabiseng Mohale, 25, from Qalakheng 1, and Mphaphathi Potsane, 23, from Maphutseng Ha-Monehela, were both stabbed to death on November 3, 2017.
Following the incident, ‘Ngoae surrendered to the Mohale’s Hoek police on the same day. He was found guilty and sentenced to 40 years for each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. Reports indicate that the motive behind the murders was a dispute over money the accused had given to one of the deceased, which he later demanded back, accusing them of spending it.
Reports from Maseru urban indicate that a 34-year-old Mosotho woman from Pitseng London, Leribe district, filed a fraud case at the Maseru Central Police Station on March 24. The report states that she had obtained a loan of M70, 000 from a bank in August 2020 to purchase a car. She entrusted the money to her boyfriend for the purchase, but later discovered that the vehicle had been registered in his name. Police investigations are ongoing.
In another case from Maseru urban, a 42-year-old Lesotho Mounted Police Service officer stationed in Hlotse, Leribe, and a 32-year-old temporary employee from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Leribe are assisting with police investigations regarding allegations of accepting bribes on March 28.
According to reports, a Lesotho national residing in South Africa visited the Ministry of Home Affairs to change her surname after marriage and was instructed to obtain a police clearance. She completed the necessary procedures at the police station, paying the required M150 fee, and was told the clearance would be ready in two weeks.
Subsequently, a police officer allegedly offered to expedite the process for M3, 500. After negotiating, the individual agreed to pay M2, 000, and a meeting was arranged.
A police sting operation led to the arrest of the Ministry of Home Affairs employee. Investigations are ongoing, and the individuals involved are expected to appear in court once the investigation is concluded.
Relebohile Makhetha is a court and crime reporter based in Maseru. She has been working at Newsday since 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Communication from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (2024) and a Diploma in Mass Communication from the National University of Lesotho (Institute of Extra-Mural Studies, 2018).
