Rethabile Pitso
BEREA police are under investigation following the death of 34-year-old Poulo Ramangoaela of Ha Mohatlane in police custody.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dr Mahlape Morai, has described as “reckless” the conduct of the officers allegedly involved in events leading to Poulo’s death.
She confirmed that a team from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) based at Police Headquarters in Maseru has been deployed to investigate the matter after Berea police were deemed “uncooperative”.
She warned that any officers found to have acted unlawfully would face criminal prosecution.
According to Dr Morai, the CID was called in after Berea police failed to provide clear information on what transpired, prompting the Ramangoaela family to approach her office seeking intervention.
She further accused the Berea police of failing to open a case against Poulo and his brother, Retšelisitsoe Ramangoaela, following a fight with two police officers—an altercation that set off a chain of events that ultimately led to Poulo’s death. Retšelisitsoe, the younger brother, was arrested and initially remanded in custody.
According to the Ramangoaela family, on the evening of 9 January 2026, Retšelisitsoe was drinking at a local tavern where he sat next to a Berea police officer identified as Mohlakantšo. A disagreement allegedly arose after the officer took Retšelisitsoe’s hat and refused to return it.
Unable to resolve the matter, Retšelisitsoe reportedly called his brother Poulo to intervene. During Poulo’s confrontation with the officer, an attempt to shoot the two brothers was allegedly thwarted, while two police officers sustained injuries—one from a stabbing and the other from a gunshot wound.
The following day, the brothers were arrested and detained. Police later claimed that during the night, about eight officers removed them from their cell and took them to an isolated room within the police residential area, where they were allegedly severely tortured.
As a result of serious internal injuries sustained during the alleged assault, Poulo later died. After his death, Retšelisitsoe was re-arrested when he returned to the Berea Police Station seeking a medical form to access treatment.
The family told the Lesotho Times that charges brought against Retšelisitsoe were fabricated by Berea police in an effort to conceal their alleged wrongdoing. They subsequently reported the matter to Police Headquarters in Maseru, triggering the current investigation.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times on Tuesday, Dr Morai confirmed that she had approached the CID to investigate the case.
“I first learned of this case when representatives of the Ramangoaela family approached my office shortly after Poulo died. They narrated the events, from the fight at the bar to the circumstances surrounding his death,” Dr Morai said.
“After hearing their account, I promised them that the case would not only be investigated, but that it would be investigated properly. I did my duty as a compliance officer to ensure that the facts are established.”
She said when her office sought information from the Berea police, officers were reluctant to cooperate.
“That is when I approached the CID to lead the investigations. Although they do not report to me directly, I am entitled to request progress reports. I have met them once so far, at a stage when investigations were just beginning.
“I remain hopeful that in the coming weeks they will be able to present their findings. We took over the case from the Berea desk due to clear resistance to fully disclose what transpired and why this family lost their son.”
Dr Morai said the lack of cooperation from the Berea police had raised serious suspicions.
“If the findings confirm that torture took place, it would mean the officers failed to follow procedure. The most basic step after the fight should have been to open a docket against the brothers and charge them accordingly.
“As a police officer, you lose nothing by opening a case. If any officers are found guilty of the accusations levelled by the Ramangoaela family, they will face the law. No one is above the law—not even the police.”
Responding to growing concerns about police brutality, Dr Morai emphasised that ethical conduct ultimately rests with individual officers.
“Training alone cannot correct a criminal mindset. If someone undergoes training but retains a criminal mindset, that training will not remove it. Such individuals end up abusing their authority, losing their jobs, or being convicted.
“However, we also have many good officers who abide by the rules. We do not train police to beat people, insult them, or act rudely. That goes against our mandate.
“If the report confirms that Poulo was tortured, it would mean we failed our ethics, professionalism, and policies. That is not our standard,” she said.
When contacted for comment, Poulo and Retšelisitsoe’s mother, ’Maliabo Ramangoaela, said the investigation had given the family renewed hope.
She confirmed that investigators had visited the Berea Police Station but said the family was awaiting the outcome.
She also expressed relief that Retšelisitsoe had been released on bail.
“It was a relief when Retšelisitsoe was released on the 9th after appearing in court. However, the relief is short-lived because the matter is still pending.
“He was instructed to return to court on 25 February 2026 to be informed of the trial date. Although he is home now, he is traumatised and has a lot to deal with,” Ms Ramangoaela said.
She previously disclosed that Retšelisitsoe was unable to attend his brother’s burial on 7 February 2026 because he was still in remand prison.
“The police have fabricated charges against my younger son. They are claiming that the role played by Poulo in the fight was instead played by Retšelisitsoe.
“Poulo is the one who stabbed the officer, but they are now charging Retšelisitsoe. They are doing this to keep him in custody and prevent him from laying charges against them.”
