Lineo Mahlomola
In a positive development, the rate of murder and other serious crimes significantly dropped during the just ended festive period compared to the same period in 2022.
This is according to Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS), which revealed that nine people were murdered during the 2023 festive season compared to 26 who were killed during the same period in 2022.
Addressing journalists this week, LMPS’s interim spokesperson Senior Superintendent Kabelo Halahala indicated that the 203 murders consisted of seven males and two females, while those who were killed during the 2022 festive season consisted of 24 males and two females.
He explained that compared to 2022’s festive season, the rate of murder decreased in 2023 during the same period.
“Of the victims of murder in 2022, we had two females and 24 males, while in 2023 we had two females and seven males,” SSP Halahala said.
He further indicated that there were nine cases of robbery in 2022, but only five in 2023, with cases of rape decreasing from 10 in 2022 to nine cases in 2023.
He added however that housebreaking cases increased from 22 in 2022 to 26 in 2023.
SSP Halahala explained that the number of people who were murdered by assault was nine in 2022 and 2023 three cases.
