Kabelo Masoabi
A 46-year-old deaf shopkeeper from Ha Setene this week gave harrowing testimony in the Leribe Magistrates’ Court, recounting how she was robbed at gunpoint at her workplace on 10 January 2025.
Tlholiso Malothoane told the court before Magistrate Thoora Semela, through a sign language interpreter, that the robbery occurred at about 4.30pm after a storm caused a power outage in the area. She said she had switched on her phone torch and lit a candle when a man entered the shop where she was employed as a shopkeeper and bought three cigarettes.
“The man left the shop but returned shortly afterwards with two other men. They immediately held me and two customers hostage,” Ms Malothoane testified.
She said the three men had covered their faces with balaclavas.
Ms Malothoane identified the accused, Tholoana Kanono, who is on trial for armed robbery, as the man who pointed a gun at her, while his accomplices brandished knives. She explained that due to her hearing and speech impairment, she struggled to understand the commands being shouted at her.
“One of them came closer with a knife and demanded money, indicating with his fingers.
“At first, I did not understand what was happening until I saw the other customers lying flat on the ground, including a woman carrying a baby on her back.”
She told the court that she handed over M3800 in cash kept under the counter, as well as some loose coins. The robbers then went to the grocery shelves and stole various items, including cosmetics, cigarettes, BB tobacco and boxes of milk, which they packed into a large school backpack.
Before fleeing into the darkness, Ms Malothoane said the accused took her cellphone.
“After they left, we all ran outside. I went home to report the matter to my mother because I knew she would understand me quickly,” she said, adding that she was so frightened she forgot to close the shop.
Under cross-examination, defence lawyer one Advocate Theko questioned how the witness could identify the accused when his face was covered. Ms Malothoane responded that the hat did not fully conceal his face and that he stood close enough for her to recognise him as the same person who had earlier bought cigarettes.
“He is the one who pointed the gun at me,” she said, pointing at the accused in court.
Advocate Theko argued that the accused had an alibi, claiming he was at home with his wife in Sebothoane at the time of the robbery. Ms Malothoane, however, remained adamant that Mr Kanono was one of the robbers.
Magistrate Semela postponed the matter to 3 February for further hearing. Two more witnesses are expected to testify. The accused remains in custody.
Man faces three housebreaking charges
In a separate matter, Motlalepula Marotholi (45) of Mahobong appeared before the same court on three counts of housebreaking.
He is accused of breaking into the home of Monyake Monyake at Ha ’Mathata, Maputsoe, on 2 January 2025, allegedly stealing M450 in cash and goods valued at M6000. The stolen items reportedly include tinned beef, soap, pepper spray, an asthma spray and a box of spices.
The court heard that on 3 June 2025, in the same village, Marotholi allegedly broke into the house of Thabo Selialia and stole property valued at M15 000, including a wall unit, a wardrobe, a dressing table and six pillows.
He also faces charges relating to an alleged break-in at Rakoro Nthako’s house at Ha Nyenye, Maputsoe, on 20 December 2025, where machinery valued at M18 000 was reportedly stolen. The items include a welding machine, a drilling machine and two grinders.
Magistrate Tlohang Mohanoe granted the accused bail in the amount of M1500, with M10 000 surety. The matter was remanded to 3 February 2026. The magistrate further ordered that items held as court exhibits be released to their lawful owners, but be made available when required by the court.
