Relebohile Makhetha
A 30-year-old Mosotho man, Ratia Ratia, employed at Security Lesotho, appeared before court on March 20th on charges of attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
Magistrate Rantšo read out the charges, stating that on or about March 16, 2024, near Semonkong Ha Lepae, Ratia unlawfully and intentionally shot at a motor vehicle containing Kao Morake and Teboho Khoali.
The shooting resulted in Morake sustaining injuries to the left leg, while Khoali was injured on his right arm and right leg.
Ratia was also charged with malicious damage to property for shooting at a Nissan X-Trail with registration number A141 BCD, damaging its front left part and door.
Ratia was remanded and is scheduled to appear in court on April 2 for trial.
According to police reports, the incident occurred when Ratia, who was on duty guarding a shop in Semonkong, confronted two men, aged 38 and 44, from Ha Tšoene and Ha Sammuel, respectively, who were urinating near the area he was guarding.
A conflict ensued, leading to Ratia allegedly shooting at both men and damaging their vehicle.
In another incident, Relebohile Mantlha, a 34-year-old woman from Setleketseng, appeared before court on March 26, accused of burning down a house in Ha Rajoko. Mantlha is currently awaiting trial in custody.
According to police reports, Mantlha had a romantic relationship with the 42-year-old owner of the burned house in Ha Rajoko.
It was alleged that Mantlha discovered the house owner engaging in intimate activities with another woman inside the house. In response, she purportedly set fire to the three-roomed house along with its belongings.
In yet another incident, Sekake Nkesi, aged 40, and ‘Mamahase Botsane, aged 43, appeared in court on March 21, facing charges of unlawfully possessing a 0.38 caliber gun along with 8 bullets.
Each person was charged a fine of M1000.00 or faced 1 year imprisonment. However, they were able to pay the fine.
According to reports, the police received a tip-off regarding Sekake’s possession of a gun. Upon questioning, Sekake revealed that he had given the gun to his girlfriend, Botsane, to keep it.
Subsequently, the gun was found in Botsane’s possession, and neither of them could produce legal documents for the firearm.
Police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Kabelo Halahala, emphasised that possessing property unlawfully is considered a crime under the law.
