MASERU — A former soldier with the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Motloang Molapo, allegedly shot and killed his wife at Good Times Cafe last Saturday in what police suspect was a love triangle.
Molapo shot and killed ‘Masechocha Thamae, 28, in the stomach at point blank after accusing her of having an extra-marital affair with a Motswana boxer.
The former soldier also shot and seriously injured his sister-in-law, Likeleli Thamae, 31.
Likeleli, a popular member of the LDF taekwondo national team, was shot on the thighs.
‘Masechocha Thamae, who was also a member of the LDF, was rushed to Makoanyane Military Hospital after the shooting.
She, however, died a few hours later.
Thamae is still receiving treatment at the military hospital.
Doctors at the hospital say her condition is serious but stable.
According to police spokesman Senior Inspector Pheello Mphana, Molapo had accused his wife of having an extra-marital affair with a boxer from Botswana, Moabi Mathiba.
Mathiba was in town last weekend for a regional boxing tournament held at the Examinations Council of Lesotho hall in Khubetsoana, on the outskirts of Maseru.
Molapo was a referee at the boxing tournament.
After the tournament his wife and his sister-in-law went to Good Times, an upmarket cafe in central Maseru.
When Molapo arrived at the cafe he was surprised to see his wife and sister-in-law at the cafe in the company of Mathiba, according to an eyewitness.
“Molapo ordered his wife to go home but the wife refused,” said the eyewitness.
Later, Molapo’s friends are said to have convinced ‘Masechocha to leave.
As ‘Masechocha was leaving the cafe she was accompanied by Mathiba and some other boxers from Botswana which infuriated the husband, the eyewitness said.
“He asked his wife where she was going with the Botswana boxers, pulled out his pistol and fired towards his wife and sister-in-law,” said the eyewitness.
‘Masechocha was shot in the stomach and fell down bleeding.
The sister-in-law was also shot during the commotion.
Mathiba, who is believed to be at the centre of the love triangle, fled the scene unharmed.
Molapo immediately surrendered to the police.
The police confiscated a 9mm pistol which was allegedly used in the shoot-out.
On Monday, Molapo briefly appeared in the Maseru Magistrates’ Court.
He is facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
Molapo is expected to appear again in court on May 4.
In a telephone interview on Tuesday, the president of the Botswana Boxing Association, Michael Moroka, expressed regret over the shooting incident.
