POLICE REPORTS 31/06/2026

THABA-TSEKA

Thapelo Sula, a 21-year-old man from Ha Laka, has surrendered to the police after accidentally shooting his brother’s 18-year-old wife . Reports indicate that on 27/06/2026 at approximately 6:00 AM, the man and his brother were conducting firearm training with each other when the weapon accidentally discharged, striking the 18-year-old woman in the head. The victim was rushed to Paray Hospital and later transferred to Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH), where she remains in critical condition, fighting for her life. The firearm involved was a 9mm pistol loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition. The suspect appeared before the Thaba-Tseka Magistrate’s Court on 29/06/2026, facing charges of attempted murder and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. He has been remanded in custody awaiting trial and is scheduled to reappear in court on 13/07/2026.

MOKHOTLONG

Nkukane “City” Sello, a 49-year-old man from Ha Senkoase, appeared before the Mokhotlong Magistrates’ Court on 23/06/2026 charged with the sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl. The court found him guilty and sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment without the option of bail. The assault was committed by the convict in December 2025.

BEREA

Three men—Marabe Kubere (39) and Lehlohonolo Lebesa (40), both from Ha Saremone, alongside Tsepang Masupha (25) from Litsiling—appeared before the Berea Magistrates’ Court on 25/06/2026 charged with mutilation. The report indicates that a 35-year-old man from Ha Saremone, Lekokoaneng, went missing on 03/05/2026. On 12/05/2026, community members launched a search operation and discovered his mutilated body in the Ha Marititsi hills. The victim’s removed body parts included the foreskin of the penis, the testicles, an eye, an ear, the tongue, the intestines, the bladder, the kidneys, and his throat had been torn. The suspects were arrested on 22/06/2026. They are currently remanded in custody awaiting trial and are set to reappear in court on 07/07/2026.

PHQ

Two members of the Lesotho Police Service holding the rank of Police Constable have been dismissed. The individuals are Mohale Chechile (42) from Mahobong, Leribe, and Paseka Mphohle (44) from Botha-Bothe.

The dismissals stem from Chechile’s involvement in a major robbery in Hlotse, Leribe, where two men and a woman were robbed of M38,000.00. Prior to this, in January 2025, Chechile had extorted M6,250.00 from a citizen under the fraudulent pretense of securing legal firearm documentation. When he failed to deliver, the victim reported the matter to the police and demanded a full refund, though he only managed to recover M2,400.00. Furthermore, in January 2026, Chechile and Mphohle went to a business premises at night between 20:00 and 21:00. They accused the shop owner of selling contraband tobacco and operating unauthorized M-Pesa and EcoCash services, demanding a bribe to overlook the alleged offenses. The owner requested to see their police badges and handed them M1,000.00. The officers grew suspicious and demanded an additional M200.00, which the owner paid. The following morning, the business owner reported the extortion to the police. The officers were summoned and promised to refund the money; however, they were summarily dismissed after returning only M1,000.00 and failing to pay the remaining M200.00 as promised. Both men joined the police service in 2005 and were stationed at Rural Headquarters (Flight One) at the time of their dismissal. The public is hereby notified that these individuals are no longer police officers, effective from 22/06/2026.

Meanwhile, two additional members have been dismissed from the police service, effective from 26/06/2026. They are Inspector Thabo Kopeli (51) from Thoteng, Mohale’s Hoek, and Woman Police Constable (WPC) Mabataung Lesoetsa (33) from Maliba-Matšo, Ha Rafanyane. Their dismissals follow an investigation into Inspector Kopeli, the former Officer-in-Charge of Ketane Police Station, who was implicated in a major theft at a Chinese grocery store in Ketane in December 2025. WPC Lesoetsa was dismissed for her involvement in a livestock theft and fraud case that occurred in September 2025. In that case, a farmer had lost his sheep, and Lesoetsa’s brother emerged as a prime suspect. As part of the police investigation, the suspected livestock was rounded up for verification. While some animals were released to owners with legitimate documentation, those requiring further clearance were impounded at the police station. Lesoetsa conspired with two local chiefs, Chief Molailane Lehoere and Chief Lekanyane Mafoli, to forge ownership certificates for the impounded animals, registering them in official books and backdating the stamps to legitimize the transaction. This fraudulent act was committed while the livestock was actively being held as evidence, constituting a direct violation of stock theft laws. The chiefs and the police officer appeared in court in March 2026. The disgraceful actions of these officers tarnish the reputation of the police force; they have committed unacceptable breaches of trust and are viewed as traitors to the public they were sworn to protect. The police administration maintains a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior. Inspector Kopeli joined the service in 2005, while WPC Lesoetsa joined in 2021 and was stationed at the Mokhotlong Police Station. The public is advised that they are no longer police officers.

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