Pascalinah Kabi
POLICE are investigating a 29-year old Qoaling man in connection with the murders of four women who were believed to be his girlfriends.
The man was initially arrested on 3 August 2016 on suspicion of killing and burying an 18-year-old woman in 2011.
According to police spokesperson Superintendent Clifford Molefe, it is alleged the victim was abducted while walking with her sibling to collect their mother at a bus stop. He said no one had known what happened to her until the body was found in a donga in Ha-Noka. Superintendent Molefe said further investigations revealed the suspect possibly had a hand in the killing of two more women whose bodies were found last year. He said it was believed all the victims were his girlfriends.
“The first victim was from Ha-Kelebone in Peka, and her corpse is still in a mortuary since she has not been identified or claimed. Her body was found in December 2015 with a slit throat,” said Superintendent Molefe.
“The second victim, whose throat was also slit, was found along the by-pass road that connects Masianokeng and Thetsane last year. She was from Ha Mapetla, Thaba-Tseka and has already been laid to rest.”
He said the suspect would appear in court once ongoing investigations have been completed.
Meanwhile, the Lesotho Times has since learnt that police officers investigating the case on Monday took the suspect to a spot in Ladybrand where he allegedly buried his fourth victim.
“He took us to the place, but the victim’s corpse had already been discovered by the South African Police Service who didn’t know the suspect,” one of the investigators said.
Contacted for comment, Superintendent Molefe said he was not in a position to confirm the trip.
“There are allegations the suspect killed a fourth woman in South Africa, but we are still investigating the matter.”
He, however, warned women to be cautious in their relations with men.
“We are not saying women shouldn’t be in relationships, but they must always make their safety a priority ahead of love to avoid becoming victims of crime,” the police spokesman added.
