By Kefiloe Kajane
Police advise motorists to avoid driving at night and be conscious of their surroundings when they park their vehicles places so they don’t fall victim to carjacking.
This was said by the Lesotho Mounted Police public relations officer Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli in an interview with theReporter today, in the wake of a recent spate of car thefts in and around town.
Mopeli confirmed received several reports of car theft this past weekend, some of which were stolen at gunpoint.
“It is important for people to have police phone numbers at all times so they can report any car theft speedily. We advise people to stay alert in public parking space. They should be alert even when they enter their homes because that’s also when the thieves pounce.”
This warning comes after social media was inundate by distress posts of stolen cars over the weekend.
According to the Lesotho 2020 Crime & Safety Report, vehicle theft in Maseru is very common in well-illuminated areas with high foot traffic and security guards.
It states that while carjacking is not as prevalent as in South Africa, vehicle theft takes place at all hours Maseru, in both downtown and residential neighborhoods.
“Organized crime is not uncommon and generally involves participants from South Africa. Organized criminal groups are involved in vehicle theft and human trafficking. While the government is taking active steps to combat both, well-established and often sophisticated organized crime networks use Lesotho as a venue to register stolen cars,” the report says.
