By Matṧeliso Phulane
Local human rights lawyer Advocate Napo Mafaesa says the family of slain Ngaka Mohlehli has to seek justice for the fatal shooting of their grandson, theReporter can reveal.
This after last week’s fatal shooting of 17-year old unsuspected Mohlehli at Tṧenola in Maseru by an unidentified member of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) on March 12.
Mohlehli was on his way from his gardening job in the village when police opened fire at him, resulting in his untimely death.
Now, the human rights lawyer says the Mohlehli’s family has to open a criminal case and the police officer who cut his life short be charged.
“Another option is to institute a civil claim for compensation from the commissioner of police, and such a case has to be instituted within six months of incidence. They can approach a lawyer for further information or Legal Aid if the family is indigent.
“Every criminal case must be reported and be investigated fully, and the affected family be informed of the progress as of right.”
According to police spokesperson Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli, police officers were on the heels of a man suspected to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm when they mistakenly shot an innocent boy thinking he was the one they were chasing.
“We take full responsibility and undertake to do all we can to show our remorse for the mishap. As a result, we will bury the deceased and give support on all matters concerning the funeral,” Mopeli said.
In an interview with theReporter the deceased’s visibly distraught grandmother, ‘Matsekiso Mohlehli, was struggling to come to terms with the reality that her grandson was no more, especially the circumstances under which he died.
Mohlehli was raised by ‘Matsekiso after his mother divorced with his father who passed on in December last year.
‘Matsekiso said the untimely death of her grandson has left her grief-stricken.
“It is every parent’s hope that when the child leaves home, he will still come back. Unfortunately, today I have lost one of my grandsons in whom I had high hopes for the future,” ‘Matsekiso lamented.
Mohlehli was looking forward to studying law at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) in August following his excellent examination results in Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE) last year.
‘Matsekiso said her grandson was determined to further his studies so he could help her financially after completing.
“He was doing gardening piece jobs to raise money in preparation for the challenges ahead. I always encouraged him to work hard and find temporary jobs even in shops as I am struggling financially to raise him and his siblings,” she said in a quavering voice.
Young Mohlehli’s death has sent shockwaves across the village, with residents accusing the police of negligence and wittingly shooting the victim.
One of his neighbours, Moliehi Mojaki, said the boy was left lying on the ground in a pool of blood for some hours.
She said eyewitnesses blew the whistle on some of the local radio stations “until police the spokesperson acknowledged on air that he had heard about the incident and that police were looking for a vehicle to carry the corpse.”
Subsequent to the fatal shooting, the Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro, minister of police and public safety Lepota Sekola and police commissioner Holomo Molibeli, led a delegation that visited the family to deliver condolences.
They promised investigations would be carried out and that legal action would be taken.
“The truth is that he was shot purposely at close range on suspicion that he was one of the suspects being sought by police,” she suggested.
Mojaki said the guests condemned the killing and promised the family to shoulder all the burial expenses and promised to open a case against the police after the funeral.
She advised the family to open a murder case against the ‘negligent’ police officer so as to deter others from committing similar atrocities.
The headman of Motse-Mocha, a territory under the Tṧenola area chief, Mokoena Mokoena, was unequivocal as he accused the police of committing a crime.
“I told them what they did was very wrong and that I was not happy with the fact that they just shot an innocent person without asking any questions,” he said.
Mokoena was angry that the police delayed to ferry the deceased to the mortuary. He had called the Mabote police as the villagers had to wait at the scene. This, said, incensed him as he insisted the boy was shot intentionally.
“I advise the family to exercise their right. Justice has to be served for Ngaka Mohlehli,” Mokoena concluded.
