Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Keketso Monaheng
Pascalinah Kabi
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Keketso Monaheng, says the famo turf-war which has claimed dozens of lives and left scores of people injured over the years should have been declared a state-of-emergency “a long time ago”.
The violence is spearheaded by Mafeteng-linked famo music gangs by the names Terene and Seakhi, which use their songs to insult rival artists and their followers.
The insults have resulted in killings throughout the country and in some parts of South Africa. Although the current and previous government established committees to address the issue, the violence continued leading to loss of lives and the destruction of property.
Addressing a press conference in Maseru this week, DCP Monaheng said declaring the violence a state of emergency would have ensured the police responded accordingly.
DCP Monaheng also revealed some police officers were facing disciplinary action for their alleged involvement in the feuding which has been raging for more than 10 years.
DCP Monaheng said a special operation which began in April this year to end the dispute had revealed some officers were part of the problem.
“The special operation is leaving no stone unturned and as we speak, there are police officers facing disciplinary action for their alleged involvement in the famo killings,” DCP Monaheng said without revealing the number of officers.
He however, said the operation has been a success because since it started, the number of famo-related killings had significantly dropped.
“Prior to this operation, there were at least 15 famo-related killings on a weekly basis. I am glad to inform the nation that at the moment, there have been two to three killings a week but which our investigations have revealed are not linked to famo,” he said.
DCP Monaheng was again evasive about the number of people arrested during the operation, and could only say the suspects would have their day in court.
