M20 fine for illegal entry into Lesotho
LINEO MALATALIANA
MAFETENG – A Pakistani man, Ali Amir, and a South African woman, Disebo Njato, were released on February 13 on a M20 fine each after the Mafeteng Magistrate’s Court found them guilty of illegally entering Lesotho. Amir, 37, resides in Fichard Park, Bloemfontein, while Njato, 30, is from 1230 Caleb Motshabi JB Mafora Street, Bloemfontein.
The two were apprehended at Van Rooyen’s Gate in Mafeteng on February 11 by law enforcement officials who were manning the border post. Although they were not travelling together, the man and woman had, however, boarded the same taxi from South Africa to Lesotho.
Lesotho immigration officials who inspected passengers from that taxi discovered that Amir’s passport did not bear a stamp that allowed him to enter Lesotho, and there was also no indication in the passport that showed he had ever entered South Africa at all.
Njato was arrested because she was travelling without a passport and only had her identification card (ID) in her possession. After spending the night in a police holding cell, the two appeared in the Mafeteng Magistrate’s Court on February 12 and were formally charged with illegal entry into the country.
Ex-cop in soup for murder
MASERU – A former police Sergeant (Sgt.) who allegedly shot dead a man at a public bar in Maseru is expected to reappear in the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on February 20 to stand trial.
Sgt. Seephephe Matete, 52, of White City, Maseru who was stationed at the Police Headquarters was remanded in custody by the same court on February 12.
It is alleged that on December 20, 2023, Matete, who was drinking at a bar around the main Maseru bus stop area, had an argument with a fellow patron, Solomon Khesa. During the scuffle that ensued, Matete, who was armed with a firearm, allegedly drew the weapon and shot the man. Khesa, 41, of Qopo, Berea, was thereafter rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Trouble over crystal meth equipment
MASERU – A Mohalalitoe man who was found in possession of equipment used to inhale a drug called crystal meth was this week remanded in custody by the Maseru Magistrate’s Court.
This, after Lerato Mkhize Dongwane, 28, failed to pay the M600 bail that the court demanded. The man was arrested after police raided his Phahameng residence in Mohalalitoe and confiscated three glasses used to inhale crystal meth.
The police had earlier been tipped that the accused was in possession of such equipment. The seized apparatus was later taken to a laboratory, where tests proved the presence of drug residues.
Man assaults cop, resists arrest
MASERU – A Lepereng, Mathokoane, man who allegedly assaulted a police officer and resisted arrest will reappear in the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on February 19 to answer charges of contempt of court.
Sometime in 2020, Ntaote Mosuoe, 40, was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. The Magistrate’s Court, however, released him on bail on the condition that he would report to court every fortnight, a condition he failed to comply with.
A warrant for his arrest was later issued, leading to Mosuoe’s eventual arrest earlier this month, before he reappeared in the same court on February 5.
