…as women protest escalating femicides
Moorosi Tsiane
A High Court Assistant Registrar, Tebello Mokhoema, has narrowly survived death after being shot by her boyfriend this past Saturday at her home in Bua-Sono, Berea.
The suspect, Tšenolo Thamahane, an employee at the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), first shot Advocate Mokhoema’s sister, who had attempted to intervene in their argument. He then shot Adv Mokhoema in the jaw.
Adv Mokhoema was rushed to the hospital and is reportedly recovering, while the sister succumbed to the bullet injuries.
Thamahane is currently in police custody, facing charges of attempted murder for shooting Adv Mokhoema and murder for killing her sister.
Sources indicate that she and Thamahane had been in a romantic relationship after both allegedly abandoned their respective spouses. However, tensions arose when Adv Mokhoema decided to end the affair and reconcile with her estranged husband. This reportedly enraged Thamahane, who insisted that she could not leave him after he had left his wife to be with her.
Police Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Mpiti Mopeli, confirmed that the two were in a romantic relationship and that the shooting occurred when the woman tried to break up with Thamahane.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the DCEO employee and the survivor were in a love affair. When she attempted to end the relationship, the shooter attended a celebration at her home in Bua-Sono. Later, he followed her into her house, where the altercation escalated. When her sister tried to intervene, he shot at her before shooting his girlfriend,” SSP Mopeli said.
Unfortunately, her sister was not as lucky, as she was shot twice and succumbed to her injuries.
Thamahane has been in police custody while investigations continue. He was scheduled to appear in court yesterday, though it is unclear whether the proceedings took place.
This incident was followed by women from Berea petitioning the High Court and Court of Appeal Registrar, Advocate ‘Mathato Sekoai, in relation to another case whereby a police officer, Jeremane Sekhohola, is accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend, Matšepang Moleleki, by stabbing her multiple times on 17 February 2025.
The women stood in solidarity to plead with the High Court not to grant Sekhohola bail.
Amongst the protesters was the National Assembly Women’s Caucus member, Malelaka Lehohla-Malakane, who raised concerns over the alarming rate at which women were being murdered by their partners.
“As the Women’s Caucus, we are deeply concerned about the rising cases of men killing women—women they are supposed to protect,” Ms Malakane said.
“This issue affects us all because when God created man, he created them to care for and protect women. However, every day we hear stories of women being killed, children being raped, and some disappearing. It is time for us, as women, to take action, demand to be heard, and fight for our protection,” she said.
Ms Malakane acknowledged that while it was Sekhohola’s constitutional right to apply for bail, his release would be a painful reality for women.
“We understand that it is his right, but what about the rights of those he has killed? Seeing him out on bail would be devastating. It would also put our lives as women at risk again. Additionally, the deceased’s family is angry, and they might seek revenge, leading to a dangerous cycle of violence.”
She urged her fellow parliamentarians to push for stronger laws to curb gender-based violence.
“As Members of Parliament, we must ensure that proposed laws are passed and implemented. The Counter Domestic Violence Bill has been stagnant in Parliament for too long. This is one of the reasons why people continue to be killed so mercilessly. If enacted, this law will also protect men, so it is crucial that it is passed,” Ms Malakane said.
Sekhohola applied for M1000 bail at the High Court yesterday. The application has not yet been allocated a hearing date, as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Hlalefang Motinyane, is opposing it.
Meanwhile, a Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) officer, Retšelisitsoe Rantšitile, has been charged with fatally stabbing his girlfriend in Mokhotlong on 28 February 2025.
Detective Women Police Constable (DWPC) Mpolokeng Lebusa of Mokhotlong Police Station reported that Rantšitile confronted the deceased while she was getting her hair done in Salang, accompanied by her seven-year-old daughter.
“The accused briefly spoke to the deceased at a distance from other people and then left. However, he returned later in a fit of rage. He pulled the chair she was sitting on, causing her to fall. As soon as she stood up, he began stabbing her in the back. She attempted to run but soon collapsed from exhaustion. He then continued stabbing her in the breasts and ribs,” DWPC Lebusa said.
Fearing the community’s wrath, Rantšitile fled the scene and later turned himself in to the police. The deceased sustained ten open wounds and was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Rantšitile appeared before the Mokhotlong Magistrates Court on 4 March 2025 and was remanded into LCS custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for 18 March 2025.
