MASERU — A six-year-old girl from Ha-Ngoatonyane in Mazenod was raped and later found strangled two weeks ago.
A 16-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder.
Acting police spokesperson, ‘Mantolo ‘Mothibeli, confirmed the incident.
“A six-year-old girl was found dead near Ngoatonyane Primary School after her father reported to the chief that she did not come back from school,” ‘Mothibeli said.
“The girl was raped and strangled before she was killed,” she said.
The crime happened on September 18.
Ha-Ngoatonyane village chief ‘Mamotebang Motemekoane said the father of the girl had arrived at her house around 6pm to report that her daughter was missing.
“I was surprised because earlier that day the girl came to my place asking for water,” Motemekoane said.
“Later that night two boys from the village came to report that they had discovered a body of a young girl near Ngoatonyane Primary School.
“The boys believed that the body had not been there for long since they did not see it earlier when they passed near the school.”
The chief said the girl’s body was lying near the school fence.
She said the girl had been raped and was not wearing her underwear.
The suspect allegedly confirmed that he strangled the girl but denied ever raping her.
“He told the police and villagers that he only strangled her after he lost his temper.
“He did not explain what caused him to lose his temper,” Motemekoane said.
The girl’s school bag was later found in the suspect’s house.
