Tefo Tefo
MAGISTRATE Masupha Kao on Monday this week sent for psychiatric evaluation a woman who allegedly killed her two children last Saturday.
Mr Kao said Thato Khotšeng, 23, from Tsoapo-le-bolila in Maseru should be examined at Mohlomi Psychiatric Hospital to determine if she should be held responsible for her action.
The magistrate directed Mohlomi Psychiatric Hospital: “You are hereby ordered to receive in your facility the accused person and observe her and make recommendations regarding her sanity and whether she is fit to stand trial….and further to inform Lithoteng police should you wish to release her.”
According to the charge sheet, Khotšeng allegedly killed two of her three children and attempting to kill the third one through food-poisoning.
In the first count, the charge sheet reads: “The said accused is charged with section 40 (1), read with section 109 of Penal Code Act No. 6 of 2010, in that upon or about the 25th day of March 2015, and at or near Tsoapo-le-bolila in the district of Maseru, the said accused did unlawfully and intentionally kill Lebohang Khotšeng, her child aged about one year, by pouring poisonous substance in his food.”
In the second count, Khotšeng is charged with poisoning her daughter aged seven years, while the third count involves trying to kill her nine-year old daughter by poisoning her.
Mr Kao said: “You have a right to legal representation and apply for bail in the High Court through your legal representative.
“However, the LCS (Lesotho Correctional Services) strike continues and it follows that you will not go into custody.”
Khotšeng will be back in court on 25 June this year.
