Relebohile Makhetha
A 34-year-old man is in Mokhotlong Police custody after allegedly stabbing his former lover to death amid a pending case of sexual assault involving the same woman.
The Salang villager handed himself to the police after committing the grisly act, the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) confirmed this week.
The police indicated that on November 17, at around 8:00 PM, the suspect approached the 36-year-old deceased, demanding for her to withdraw a sexual assault case against him that was filed earlier in September this year.
But when the victim refused to budge, the suspect stabbed her over 20 times, before fleeing the crime scene, but he inadvertently left his mobile behind which led to his arrest.
The police have established that the two were former lovers but had ended their relationship at the time of the murder of the woman.
The police investigations revealed that things took a nasty turn between the lovebirds when the woman decided to end their relationship. Then in a fit of rage, the suspect sexually assaulted the woman, who reported the matter to the police.
It was while awaiting the finalisation of the sexual assault case that the suspect attempted to compel her former lover to withdraw the charges against him. He then repeatedly stabbed her to death when she refused to drop the charges.
The suspect will appear in court after investigations have been completed.
In a different incident, a 42-year-old woman, ‘Makhotso Ramaisa from Ha Nkhabu in Mafeteng district, appeared before the Mafeteng Magistrate Court charged with illegal possession of a 9mm firearm and 25 rounds of ammunition. She was released after paying a M2 000 fine after being convicted.
Her arrest was made after her son publicly posted pictures of himself posing with the gun. These photographs found their way to the police, who then visited to family, and ‘Makhotso directed them to where they had hidden the illegal firearm.
In Quthing district, a 20-year-old man, Sekonyela Khooa of Ha Mohlakoana Mphaki, appeared before the Quthing Magistrate Court charged with sexually assaulting a 26-year-old man from Thifa, Qacha’s Nek.
Both men are currently inmates at the Quthing correctional facility, and Sekonyela reportedly sodomised the victim while he was asleep.
The court therefore found Sekonyela guilty and sentenced him to eight years in prison without the option of a fine.
The police investigations revealed that before this incident, other inmates had warned Sekonyela against his behaviour, including commenting on other men’s appearances.
In Thaba Tseka, a 22-year-old woman, ‘Matlotliso Makume of Ha Tšekelo, appeared before the Thaba-Tseka Magistrate Court charged with concealing the death of her newborn baby.
The court found her guilty and sentenced her to two years in prison or a fine of M3,000. She was unable to pay the fine and was sent to prison.
Police investigations revealed that after giving birth, she smothered the infant and buried the body in a shallow grave outside the village. Scavenging dogs later unearthed the remains, leading to her arrest after investigations pointed to her.
Still in Thaba-Tseka, two men appeared before the Magistrate Court, charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Johane Lepolesa (45) of Lesobeng Manganeng was found with a 7.65mm firearm and three rounds of ammunition.
Telang Bonagele (29) of Lesobeng Ha Ngope was found with a 7.65mm firearm and ten rounds of ammunition. Both were sentenced to six years in prison or a fine of M8 000. Failing to pay, they were sent to prison.
