5 years in jail for marijuana peddling student
Medical marijuana, dried and ready for use
’MATHATO SEBOKA
MASERU – Lerotholi Polytechnic student Thabo Motlomelo faced a grim turn of events on Monday this week when the Maseru Magistrate’s Court handed him a five-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of possessing 47 packets of marijuana. The proceedings took place in a courtroom heavy with tension. Motlomelo, once a promising student, found himself at the mercy of the law, standing before Magistrate Motlatsi Kolisang and Prosecutor Mohlakoana Malataliana.
What started as a routine patrol by the Mabote Police was to unravel into a life-changing event for Motlomelo.
The court was presented with gripping evidence, beginning with testimony from Police Constable Moeketsi, stationed at the Mabote Police Station. On July 27, 2023, Moeketsi and his colleagues were patrolling in the Motsemocha and Tšenola villages. They had previously received a tip-off that someone was selling marijuana out of a rented property.
With swift action, the officers followed up on the lead, not knowing that their discovery would lead to the young student’s downfall. “When we arrived at the rental houses, we informed the accused of the purpose of our visit,” read Prosecutor Motlomelo, quoting Constable Moeketsi’s statement.
“What surprised us was how cooperative the accused was — he voluntarily retrieved 47 packets of marijuana hidden under his mattress, all in front of his neighbour.” The second witness, ’Mathlohonolofatso Tšoenyane, corroborated this account, confirming that she saw the officers finding the marijuana and witnessed them arrest Motlomelo at the scene.
For many in the courtroom, it was clear that the young man was not a seasoned criminal but had, instead, simply made a bad decision. Despite the weight of the evidence, there was a collective sense of sadness at the turn of events.
As Motlomelo stood to address the court, the weight of his actions and their consequences seemed to weigh down on him. His voice trembled slightly as he pleaded for mercy.
“I am still a student at Lerotholi Polytechnic,” he began, his eyes briefly glancing toward the magistrate.
“I have a three-month-old baby, and I am the breadwinner for my family. I beg the court for leniency.”
The court, recognising his youth and family situation, took his plea into consideration. While the magistrate had little choice but to impose a harsh sentence due to the severity of the crime, there was some room for compassion.
Motlomelo was given an option: a M6,000 fine or five years in prison, with half the sentence suspended on condition that he adheres to the law and stays out of trouble in future.
