MASERU — Police this week arrested a 30-year-old man from Mafeteng suspected of killing famo musician Boithatelo Leopa last month.
Police spokesperson Masupha Masupha said the suspect was arrested on Sunday.
He was however reluctant to reveal his name because investigations are still continuing.
Masupha said the suspect is likely to be put on trial this week. He said the suspect allegedly shot Leopa, 29, while he was on duty at a supermarket in Maseru where he worked as security guard.
The suspect was part of a gang of armed gunmen that attacked the deceased at his work place.
Some of the suspects are still at large.
The shop had just close for the day when the group attacked Leopa.
Masupha said Leopa tried to escape by running into the shop but the group allegedly followed him and shot him.
Leopa’s murder came five days after he was granted bail by the Mafeteng Magistrate court on July 8.
He had been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and killing a famo music producer, Mohapi Sello, in May this year.
According to the police spokesperson the suspect arrested on Sunday told the police that he killed Leopa because he was a member of a rival group, the Terene.
He told the police that he was a member of Seakhi.
Sello was a member of Terene.
The war between the Terene and Seakhi gangs has claimed the lives of more than 100 artists, producers and fans over the past two years.
Most of the killings happened in Mafeteng, a district known for producing some of the country’s best famo artists.
The killings were triggered by competition for record sales but have been worsened by the pursuit for revenge amongst members of the two rival groups.
Some observers say the insult-laden lyrics in most of the famo songs have helped feed the animosity that already exists between the gangs.
Most of the murders have not been solved but Masupha said the police are working hard to deal with the cases.
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