Hopolang Mokhopi
IN a shocking incident, five men allegedly raped a mentally ill minor repeatedly.
The five have all since been arrested and the police have lauded the Butha Buthe community for blowing the whistle which led to the arrests.
Police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli, told the media this week that the five appeared before the Butha Buthe Magistrate Court accused of raping a mentally ill 13-year-old girl.
According to SSP Mopeli, the five are; Moekoa Qabane (35), Thuso Mabe (28), Tšokolo Maliponto (18), Nyefolo Nchopolo (20) and Jonathan Makere (40) from Ha Selomo, Butha Buthe.
He said they were granted M1500 bail each. However, Moeko, Thuso and Tsokolo failed to pay and were therefore remanded into the Lesotho Correctional Service custody.
“They will appear again in court on the 29th of August 2024,” SSP Mopeli said.
SSP Mopeli said the police had received a tipoff via the Lesotho Mounted Police Service Facebook page. He said the parents of the victim were poor and the accused men appeared to have taken advantage of the family’s vulnerabilities.
“Quickly, the police started investigations and the suspects were then arrested and placed before court,” Snr Supt Mopeli.
He thanked those who tipped the police about the incident.
Meanwhile, a 67-year-old Lebuajoang Mokuena was also arrested by the Mohale’s Hoek police on suspicion of sexually abusing three young girls.
SSP Mopeli said their investigations had revealed that on Saturday the suspect called the children to his house and directed them to rub and suck his private parts while he was inserting his finger in their private parts. He then threatened them not to report to anyone, saying he would butcher them into pieces.
Mokuena appeared before the Mohale’s Hoek Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he was remanded into custody. He will reappear before the same court on 3 September 2024.
The police spokesperson also said it had come to their attention that street vendors sell drugs under the guise of selling vegetables and fruits.
Therefore, he urged people to tip the police about those who sell drugs, saying they mostly sold them to children.
