Sekete Lesaoana
Two women Nthei (32) and ‘Mamphoka Rasekoai (25) from Masowe 4, Maseru last week appeared before the Magistrate court charged with the murder of their mother, Martha Rasekoai (58).
According to police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli, the information they have is that the sisters killed their mother using a shovel, a pickaxe, and a knife.
The deceased was allegedly last seen by his daughters on July 25, 2022, leaving for work but never returned home, according to the information from the police.
She was reported missing to the police on July 26 last year, and her lifeless body was found the next day dumped in a donga in Ha Tsolo.
The accused were later called in for questioning by the police as investigations went on. They were arrested on January 9 this year and appeared in court on Wednesday this week.
At the time of their mother’s death, both ladies were unemployed.
The suspects told the police that their mother was always scolding them for drinking alcohol, and they resented that. This is why they took her life, the police report said.
Woman accused of orchestrating husband death
In a different incident, a woman is facing criminal charges for orchestrating the murder of his husband with the help of three assailants.
Police report shows that a 56-year-old man from Ha Letlatsa, Qoaling in Maseru was shot and killed on January 3 this year upon arrival at his home just before dusk.
The deceased was shot down when he got out of his vehicle to open the gate to his home. He was then rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
SSP Mopeli said four suspects connected to the crime have since been arrested by members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), and handed them to the police.
Among the suspects are the deceased’s 40-year-old wife. SSP Mopeli said the information they have is that the deceased and his wife had a seven-year long conflict.
He said they found that the woman had hired the other three suspects to kill her husband by promising to pay them M10,000. She had already paid them M8,000 when they killed her husband.
The other suspects are a 40-year-old man from Masemouse, Ha Sechaba who lives in Qoaling Matšoareng; a 34-year-old man from Berea, Ha Fusi who lives in Ha Pita and a 26-year-old man from Thaba–Tseka, Litsotse, Ha Pharahlahla who lives in Ha Seoli.
A 9mm pistol with eight bullets was found; it is the suspected murder weapon, has been recovered by the police. The suspects appeared in court on Wednesday this week.
Man sentenced for illegal possession of firearm
In another criminal incident, a 27-year-old man, Irfaan Surtie, from Khubetsoana Lecoop, this week appeared before the Maseru Magistrate court charged with illegally possession of a 7.65mm pistol and three bullets.
The court sentenced him to two years in prison with the option of a M2000 fine. He was released after paying the fine.
Surtie was arrested on January 8 this year following a tip-off. He alleged the gun was not his but belonged to an unnamed 26-year-old man from Ha Ramabanta. They were both were arrested but only Surtie was sentenced.
Body of Mafeteng man who drowned retrieved
On January 9, police retrieved the lifeless body of a 22-year-old man from Ha-Maoela in Mafeteng who drowned in a dam.
Police report shows that the man attempted to swim in a dam after complaining that the day was too hot.
Thaba-Tseka men appear in court for sexual assault
In Thaba-Tseka district, three men suspected of sexually abusing a 28-year-old woman are awaiting trial in prison. These men appeared before the Thaba-Tseka Magistrate court on January 9.
The three are Mpeli Maluke (27), Marenaomphile Tlala (24) and Lefu Kofu (23). The other two suspects in the case are still on the run.
They were denied bail and will remain in police custody until they appear in court again on January 18.
The police report indicates that on the night of January 1, the victim met her ordeal on her way home after drinking alcohol with the suspects at a public drinking place.
The suspects are reported to have overpowered her after following her home.
Man in court for stealing horses and donkeys
In another incident in Thaba-Tseka, a 35-year-old man, Moeeti Mosebi, from Tlokoeng appeared before the Thaba-Tseka Magistrate court on January 9 accused of stealing three horses and five donkeys.
The court granted him M1 000 bail, which he failed to pay and was held in police custody. He will next appear in court on January 18.
Mofoleng sentenced three months for illegal possession of firearm
In another incident, a 27- year-old man, Ntjapeli Mofoleng of Ha-Seshote appeared before the Thaba-Tseka Magistrate court on January 4 accused of illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and one bullet.
The court found him guilty and sentenced him to three months in prison without a fine.
Rapotsane accused of murder
A 35-year-old man, Thibello Rapotsane, from Ha Pakiso appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on January 6 accused of murdering a 28-year-old man from the same town.
He is awaiting trial in police custody as he will appear in court again on January.
Police report said the accused and the deceased had a long-time conflict, including the suspect beating the deceased’s wife, although that was not reported to the police.
On January 3, the deceased met the suspect and asked him why he beat his wife. They then had a fight and a brother of the suspect jumped in to help his brother.
The deceased was beaten with sticks, pelted with stones and stabbed with knives.
Police said the deceased’s skull was smashed open letting out his brain. His throat was also slit. The brother of the suspect has since fled to neighbouring South Africa.
