Two days after International Women’s Day, scores of women gathered outside the High Court on Monday to protest the potential bail of former Police Constable Jeremane Sekhohola, 33, charged with murdering his ex-girlfriend, ‘Matšepang Tebello Moleleki, 29.
The brutal killing, where Sekhohola allegedly stabbed Moleleki multiple times, slit her throat, and stole her handbag and cellphone near a hotel in Ha Motjoka, Berea, has sparked nationwide outrage.
Leading the demonstration, Member of Parliament (MP) ‘Malelaka Malakane Lehohla of the Women’s Caucus and Social Cluster Committee condemned the rising tide of gender-based violence (GBV). She cited another recent murder in Berea, where a woman was killed by her boyfriend.
“Men, meant to protect us, have become aggressors. It’s heart-breaking, women die, children suffer, and we live in fear. Enough is enough; we deserve peace,” she said.
She continued stressing that the violence against women must end. “It is devastating to witness this daily abuse, where women are killed, children are harmed or go missing. We, as Basotho women, are saying enough is enough. We deserve to live peacefully, without the constant threat of violence.”
Lehohla also emphasised the need for men to take responsibility for their actions. “If there is something men need to say, they should express it rather than resort to violence. A real man protects his family, not one who abuses them,” she declared.
She warned that granting bail to Sekhohola would send a painful message to the women across the country. “It would be heartbreaking if an abuser and murderer, someone who took a life, were granted bail. Even though it’s his legal right, it would be devastating for us as women. We fear that if he is released, he could kill again,” Lehohla explained.
Lehohla also expressed concern over the potential for revenge, which could lead to further violence. “The people who are most affected by ‘Matšepang’s death might seek revenge, and that could result in more crime. We cannot allow this cycle of violence to continue. We must stop being cannibals to each other,” she added.
In her call for action, Lehohla urged all female parliamentarians to stand united in the fight against domestic violence. She stressed that while parliament had passed a law to counter domestic violence, it had yet to be fully implemented due to procedural delays.
Specifically, the law required a dedicated family court to handle these cases, but such a court has not been established.
“The law has not entered the system because it lacks critical infrastructure, including the establishment of a family court to hear such cases. Without this, crimes like the one we are witnessing will continue as if nothing is happening,” Lehohla stated.
She concluded by urging the government to take immediate steps to ensure the law is fully implemented to protect not only women and children but also men who may be victims of abuse. “This law is essential for the protection of all, and we need to see it enacted now,” she said.
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).
