Pascalinah Kabi
A TEYATEYANENG man has been arrested for allegedly killing a two-year-old boy whose body was dumped in a gorge at Ha Mamathe in the area.
Police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Clifford Molefe this week told the Lesotho Times that 52 year-old Potlaki Mothobi was arrested by members of the Ha Mamathe community and handed over to the police.
“The child was last seen on May 31 with the mother’s uncle (Mothobi) and when he disappeared, the community suspected the uncle and apprehended him,” Senior Superintendent Molefe said. “The suspect allegedly took the community members to a gorge where he had dumped the two-year-old.
“The suspect appeared in court on Monday and was remanded in custody; he will reappear in court on 19 June,” Senior Superintendent Molefe added.
The toddler was seen alive on 31 May with Mr Mothobi.
Senior Superintendent Molefe said the deceased was found on 3 June after community members forced the suspect to retrieve the body, adding that the toddler’s clothes were also in the gorge.
He said upon interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to killing the toddler over a M600 debt his mother owed him.
Senior Superintendent Molefe said it was saddening that a life was taken over a M600 debt.
Of late, the country has been rocked by a spate of killings and abductions of women and children.
Last month, 14 year-old Mojabeng Nkhasi’s body was found in a donga after she had disappeared on her way from school.
A fortnight ago a toddler’s head was found buried in a woman’s yard.
Senior Superintendent Molefe said the killings were posing a challenge to the police and the nation especially “when children are killed over petty issues like a M600 debt”.
“Our appeal to the nation is that children must be taught to never speak to strangers because last week we arrested a Koalabata man who abducted two children.
“The man, who the two children didn’t know, promised the children that he was going to buy sweets for them and they followed him.
“Yes we understand in our culture it is very rude for children not to talk to me but under the circumstances we need to ensure that our children understand the importance of not talking to strangers. They must be taught to run away as soon as strangers talk to them,” Senior Superintendent Molefe said.
