Court cases paint pervasive rape picture

SEBONGILE MATHE

BEREA — In a grim turn of events, 38-year-old Tello Noko of Ha Ntjabane, an employee at Naleli Funeral Services, appeared in the Berea Magistrate’s Court on October 16, charged with the rape of a colleague. According to the court report, the incident occurred while Noko and the victim were on duty at St. Agnes High School. It is alleged that Noko initially attempted to assault the victim by dragging her into a nearby forest but failed. Undeterred, they returned to St. Agnes, where he forcibly raped her.

Noko was granted bail of M1,000, which he managed to pay. He is set to return to court on October 29 when the case will continue. In another tragic case, Janefeke Lapisi, 38, of Ha Lapisi, appeared in the same court on October 10, accused of murdering a 67-year-old woman.

According to investigations, the crime occurred after an initiation ceremony on October 5. As the two left the ceremony and headed home, Lapisi allegedly raped the woman before strangling her. After the brutal act, he fled the scene.

Outraged community members apprehended Lapisi on October 7 and handed him over to the police, as he was the last person seen with the deceased. Lapisi is scheduled to appear in court again on October 22.

Fined for illegal gun possession

MASERU — Ponto Khotlele, 35, of Semonkong, was sentenced to three years in prison if he failed to pay a M3,000 fine for illegal possession of a 7.65mm pistol.

He managed to pay the fine and was set free by the Maseru Magistrate’s Court.

Police officers, in a separate raid in Thaba-Chitja, Morija, seized two pistols, a 9mm sidearm, a Noringo Star handgun, and several rounds of ammunition.

The operation, which involved two suspects, is linked to the ongoing investigations into the death of Khopolo Kholuoe, also known as Lisuoa, a member of the outlawed famo group Terene ea Mokata.

A 36-year-old man from Hasebala-bala, suspected to be affiliated with the notorious Pharachuthi famo group, is currently assisting police with inquiries into the murder of Senoko from Koalabata. His court appearance is pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Two sentenced while links to murder continue to unfold

BEREA – Lefu Nese, 27, and Molahli Francise Ntoi, 30, both from Berea, were sentenced by the Berea Magistrate’s Court for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The court handed down a one-year prison sentence or a fine of M4,000, which both men paid.

In a different but similar case, Motlalepula Khethi, 34, of Ha Makoetje, was found in possession of a 7.65mm firearm, which is suspected to have been used in the murder of Motlalepula Sefuthi, known as “Chaisa.”

Khethi appeared in the Maseru Magistrate’s Court, where he was sentenced to two years in prison with the option to pay a fine of M2,000. He managed to pay the fine, but investigations into Sefuthi’s murder are ongoing.