The three attacks which left three Maseru households in a state of shock early this year may have since become but another crime statistic to many, but not so for the affected families who continue to search for answers regarding the reprehensible bombings.
On January 27, the country woke up to the shocking news that the homes of Liabiloe Ramoholi and ‘Mamoletsane Moletsane in Moshoeshoe II and that of Police Commissioner Khothatso Tšooana in Ha Abia, had been shelled by unknown assailants.
Two members of the Ramoholi family were severely injured in the attacks, with suggestions one of the victims could have her arm amputated should the injuries continually fail to respond to treatment.
Such was the savagery of the attack that in addition to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the injured female relative, Ramoholi’s 11-year-old son, who was also hospitalised after the attack, is now so traumatised he has become fearful of strangers and certain vehicle-models, which he apparently associates with the assailants.
On the other hand, Moletsane, who is in her 70s, has a different worry which now makes her believe that no one really cares about what happened to her and her loved ones, on that fateful night.
As reported elsewhere in this issue, Moletsane says she was made “empty promises” that her home would be repaired at the state’s expense, and bitterly talks of “officials” that she claims promised her the renovations.
However, as she told our reporter, this has not happened, making her extremely agitated and feeling betrayed by her own people from whom she is supposed to get solace.
Of course, without any written evidence regarding the said renovations, Moletsane has no one to take her complaint to. Yet, what has raised her ire even further is the realisation that her neighbour’s home — which she claims was the target of the attack allegedly due to her political affiliation — has since been repaired.
The elderly woman says her children have only managed to replace the damaged sliding door, but the roof remains unrepaired, giving her so much discomfort considering Lesotho’s inclement weather.
What Moletsane is also complaining about is that no one is telling her anything regarding police investigations into the attack, making her feel neglected.
Without knowing what transpired on the night, Moletsane says there cannot be closure on her part, and she would always fear the assailants might strike again and she might not be so lucky this time around.
The security agencies are keeping their cards very close to the chest regarding the three attacks, which is understandable considering the sensitive nature of the case.
However, completely ignoring certain parties who directly bore the brunt of the attacks — as Moletsane certainly feels she is being deliberately sidelined for reasons she does not know — is adding insult to injury as she already strongly feels she was a victim of a fight she had absolutely nothing to do with.
Moletsane’s was a classic case of collateral damage.
Yet, if the relevant authorities cannot bring closure to the granny by constantly updating her on investigations into the bombings, as the attacks have since been widely accepted as, the least government can do is facilitating the repair of her ravaged home.
