Mafeteng man charged with sexual assault
A 53-year-old man from the Mafeteng district faces charges of sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl. According to police, the victim was sent on an errand to the suspect’s home. The suspect allegedly asked her to return the next morning, gave her a tomato, and requested another visit. On her subsequent visit, he provided a tomato and money before propositioning her for sexual favours, which she refused.
On a later occasion, he allegedly assaulted her and warned her not to tell anyone. The abuse reportedly continued after Easter, with the suspect giving her sweets and paraffin. A concerned individual reported suspicions of ongoing abuse to the victim’s guardian, leading to the girl disclosing the incidents. The suspect is in custody and will appear in court upon completion of an investigation.
Murder investigation in Mohale’s Hoek
Police in Mohale’s Hoek are probing the murder of a 49-year-old man from Ha ’Mapotsane, Ha Rabosiu, shot dead on April 26, 2025, between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The incident occurred at a mobile vendor’s business in Ha Mapotsane, where the victim was speaking with a resident at the gate. The suspect allegedly approached and shot him. The two men, neighbours with a history of conflict, reportedly clashed over the victim’s past interest in the suspect’s mother. Police recovered 9mm firearm cartridges at the scene. The suspect remains at large.
Man fined for illegal firearm in Mokhotlong
On April 28, 2025, Mokhalaka Motlakane, a 44-year-old from Matsoku, Thaba-Tseka, was convicted in Mokhotlong Magistrate’s Court for unlawful possession of a 9mm firearm and 15 rounds of ammunition. Arrested during the Fiela operation on April 25, 2025, he was sentenced to three years in prison or a M4,000 fine. He paid the fine and was released.
Butha-Buthe man charged with sexual assault
Lereko Sehojana, a 48-year-old from Butha-Buthe, appeared in Butha-Buthe Magistrate’s Court on April 24, 2025, charged with indecently assaulting a nine-year-old girl. On April 20, 2025, the suspect allegedly lured the child to his home, offered her sweets, and assaulted her after covering her with a blanket. The victim’s mother intervened after hearing her cries, catching the suspect in the act. Sehojana is in custody and will reappear in court on May 8, 2025.
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).
