CRIME WATCH

MOSA MAOENG

Dagga growers arrested

MOHALE’S HOEK – Three men who were arrested on November 3 for illegally growing dagga will appear in court once police investigations have been completed.

The trio includes a 33-year-old man from Ha Sechele, a 45-year-old man from Ha Ntoane now residing in Motse-Mocha, and his 28-year-old companion from Mohlakeng.

The three were arrested during police operations in Ha Sechele and Mohlakeng.

During the first operation, 71 packets of dagga, which are equivalent to 1.3 kg, were seized from one of the suspects.

During the second operation, 21 leaves of dagga were confiscated from the second suspect and 1,265 leaves from the third.

Man in 7 counts of fraud

MOHALE’S HOEK – A Ha Sephapho man who faces seven counts of fraud is expected to appear in Mohale’s Hoek Magistrate’s Court on November 15 for trial.

Lefu Mosoatsi, 38, made his maiden appearance in the same court on November 6 and was released on M400 bail.

Reports show that the man who is in the transport business approached some street vendors in Mohale’s Hoek and invited them to apply for employment in the Ministry of Home Affairs, claiming he worked in the department of human resources.

Some of the people he allegedly approached included a 34-year-old woman from Thaba-Tšoeu.

The suspect is alleged to have asked the woman to pay him a sum of M1,300 claiming he would facilitate her employment within the ministry.

The suspect is alleged to have used the woman to find 15 other people that he defrauded in the same way.

After the victims paid the money, the suspect is alleged to have disappeared.

Headman assault: 4 in soup

THABA-TSEKA – Four men from Linakeng, Pitseng, who allegedly assaulted their area chief, are expected to appear in the Thaba-Tseka Magistrate’s Court on November 15 for remand.

Khutliso Mapao, 32, Ikaneng Motšepe 20, Tjotji Mosito 19, and Tšepiso Mokete, 19, appeared in the same court on November 1 on charges of assault.

The four were remanded in custody after each failed to pay a M1,500 bail.

Reports show that sometime in October, a stray sheep was taken to the chief’s to keep it in his custody until its lawful owner showed up.

But the sheep allegedly died a few days later, and the chief consumed it.

On October 29, the four accused pounced on the chief, who was on his way home, and assaulted him.

Mapao (the first accused) is the farmer’s shepherd, while his three co-accused are fellow herd-men.

Negligent mom jailed

LERIBE – A Mphosong woman who allegedly left her 10-month baby alone at night to go on a drinking binge with her boyfriend will appear in the Leribe Magistrate’s Court on November 8 to stand trial.

Lebohang Matoli, 22, of Tiping, was convicted of a similar crime and released from prison last December.

This, after she had left her firstborn baby alone and gone out at night with her first boyfriend.

After her second arrest, Matoli’s two children were taken to a child care facility.

Brazen cops fired

MASERU – Four police constables (PC) who were found heavily intoxicated while on duty have been discharged from official duty.

The four include Neo Futho, 36, of Kolo Mafeteng, who was based at Mabote police station; Baphuthi Mokometsi, 33, of Masite; Linda Masela, 41, of Ha Makhakhe, Mafeteng; and Thato Makashane, 35, of Mapoboleng Moyeni Quthing, who were all based at Morija police station.

Reports show that the suspects neglected their duty and went drinking on several occasions before they were eventually sacked.

Further reports show that during the October 2022 general elections, Futho was found under the influence of alcohol while on active duty.

Mokometsi, Masela, and Makashane, who were based at the Morija police station, accepted bribery from suspects who allegedly stole a truck from South Africa.