Pascalinah Kabi
The police are looking for men who allegedly gunned down two Mafeteng villagers on Boxing Day.
The victims, a woman aged 53 and a 30-year-old male were both from Ha Salai village. The police believe their shooting was related to the famo music turf-war which has been raging in the district over recent years. The violence over bragging rights by various famo artists belonging to Mafeteng-based Terene and Seakhi groups has claimed dozens of lives countrywide and despite interventions by government, the bloodshed is not abating.
Police spokesperson Clifford Molefe said the killings were “worrying” and needed to stop.
“A woman aged 53 and a man aged 30 years, both from Ha Salai in Mafeteng, were killed on 26 December when unknown men armed with guns and knives, attacked the village,” Senior Inspector Molefe said.
“The police suspect the killings were related to blankets associated with famo gangs originating in Mafeteng, and could have been the result of the heavy presence in the area, of Basotho working in South Africa.
“Police investigations are at an advanced stage and the suspects will appear in court once apprehended. But at the moment, no one has been arrested in connection with the killings,” he said.
Senior Inspector further expressed concern at the escalating famo-related killings despite government efforts to mediate between feuding gang members.
“These are some of the issues contributing to high crime incidences where illegal firearms are used in committing these murders,” Senior Inspector Molefe said.
“The police are working hard to take these illegal firearms off the streets and we are further appealing to members of the public in possession of such unlicenced guns to hand them over to the police.”
In another festive season crime, Senior Inspector Molefe said the police arrested two men aged 19 and 31 from Khubetsoana and Sea Point respectively on suspicion of theft.
“It is suspected the two stole a security officer’s schoolbag on Christmas day. The guard was on his way to work at around 6 am. The suspects are in police custody and will appear in court once investigations have been completed,” he said.
In yet another theft case, two Ha Thamae and Mafeteng men both aged 19, are in police custody for allegedly stealing goods worth an estimated M78 000.
“The goods, worth an estimated M78 000, included cigarettes, memory cards, roll-on (deodorant), pairs of socks and airtime. Some of the stolen goods were found in Mafeteng and have since been seized by the police,” Senior Inspector Molefe said, adding the pair would appear in court once investigations are complete.
In another suspected crime, a 23-year-old man from Koma-Koma in Thaba-Tseka is facing murder charges after he allegedly killed his wife over alcohol.
“The suspect resides in Ha Makhupane in Abia but is originally from Koma-Koma in Thaba-Tseka. The 23-year-old was arrested on 25 December and police investigations have so far indicated that the man accused his wife of drinking alcohol when he had forbidden her to do so. The man will appear before the courts once the police have completed their investigations,” Senior Inspector Molefe said.
