A 27-year-old man, Sefafe Moeketsi, also known as Mali-a-Konyana, appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday this week, facing charges of murder under Section 40(1) read with Section 109 of the Penal Code Act No. 6 of 2010.
Magistrate Peete Molapo presided over the case, with Prosecutor Seeng Monyane representing the state.
Moeketsi is accused of brutally killing 24-year-old Semi Thahe from Ha Sola, Morija, at the Maseru Central Correctional Services on January 21, 2025. According to reports, the attack occurred at around 7:00 AM when Thahe visited the suspect’s cell.
He was allegedly stabbed multiple times, four times in the stomach, 48 times in the chest, six times on the left shoulder, three times in the neck, once on the left palm, seven times on the left hand, eight times on the left arm, and once on the right finger, leading to his death.
Police officers discovered a bloodstained pair of scissors at the crime scene, believed to be the murder weapon.
Disturbingly, they also observed blood around the suspect’s mouth, though Moeketsi claimed he had been punched. Given his alleged history of drinking the blood of previous victims, authorities suspect he may have engaged in similar behaviour in this case.
Thahe had been sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for theft.
Moeketsi was already awaiting trial for the murder of two individuals, including his own father. The alleged motive for Thahe’s killing was that Moeketsi believed he had been betrayed by associating with other inmates. The suspect was remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to court on March 4, 2025.
Additional threat case
In a separate case, Thapelo Khalane, 27, also appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on February 19, facing charges under Section 34(1) read with Section 109 of the Penal Code Act No. 6 of 2010 for issuing threats.
According to the charge sheet, on February 15, 2025, near Sekameneng in the Maseru district, Khalane unlawfully and intentionally threatened Police Constable Mphatse, with physical harm. He allegedly stated, “I will stab you with this knife. I have been arrested before, and I no longer fear it.”
The court granted Khalane bail set at M1,000, which he successfully paid. He is scheduled to appear for remand on March 4, 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).
