Hopolang Mokhopi
Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli, has fired four errant police officers for ill discipline and “tarnishing” the image of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS).
Three of them, who were working at Morija Police Station, were dismissed for allegedly receiving a bribe while the other one, stationed at Mabote Police Station reported for duty intoxicated.
This was revealed by the LMPS spokesperson, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Kabelo Halahala, at a press briefing at Police Headquarters in Maseru on Tuesday.
SSP Halahala stated that Police Constables (PCs) Neo Futho (36), Baphuthi Mokemetsi (33), Linda Masela (41) and Thato Makashane (35) had been dismissed for tarnishing the LMPS’s reputation.
PC Futho, who was stationed at Mabote Police station, had been posted at Motimposo to observe the voting process during October 2022 general elections where he reported for duty drunk and had to be replaced by another police officer.
PCs Mokometsi, Masela and Makashane had mounted a roadblock on 25 October 2022 in Morija in the outskirts of Maseru where they stopped a truck which had been stolen in South Africa.
“The three police officers solicited an undisclosed amount of money from the truck occupants and released them,” SSP Halahala said.
“We don’t want police to be involved in any misconduct because it tarnishes the LMPS’s reputation. Investigations were launched and the four officers were brought before disciplinary proceedings where they were found guilty and subsequently dismissed from the force.”
PC Futho was dismissed on 02 November 2023 while the other three were dismissed the following day.
Commissioner Molibeli, it seems, is determined to eradicate corruption within the ranks of the LMPS.
In August this year, six police officers were fired from the police service for bringing the LMPS’ reputation into disrepute.
Four constables, Ralintsi Makhakhe (41), Pusetso Sello (42), Liteboho Ranthamane (47), and Teboho Kanetsi (47) were dismissed for accepting a M19 000 bribe from suspects who had been found in unlawful possession of a firearm. They committed the alleged offence on 28 April 2023 near Lifestyle Mall in Masianokeng where they were investigating a case of unlawful possession of firearms.
Meanwhile, two constables were expelled from the police service the same month for allegedly stealing two police AK47 rifles which they gave to a Borokhoaneng resident with links to illegal miners popularly known as zama-zamas. Poloko Lehoko (31) and Sempe Theko (29), who were both members of the Special Operations Unit (SOU), were arrested for the theft of the two firearms belonging to their agency.
