A street vendor from Motimposo in Maseru has been fined M2,000 after being found guilty of making death threats against one Teboho Mokebe over a M700 loan dispute.
Matšeliso Ramotlao appeared before Matala Local Court president, ‘Malepene Ntlobo, on Tuesday this week.
The tension in the courtroom was palpable as Ramotlao pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, Ntlobo sentenced her to 12 months in prison, with an option to pay a M2,000 fine.
The prosecutor, ‘Mamoanakoena Letsie, laid out the events leading to the confrontation, starting with the M700 that Mokebe borrowed from Ramotlao.
The original agreement included an interest of M210, but Mokebe had only managed to repay the initial M700. However, the debt grew to M630 after he failed to pay the interest over three months.
Mokebe claimed he had been involved in a car accident that affected his ability to work, hence his failure to settle the interest.
On February 17, 2025 Ramotlao approached Mokebe’s landlord and asked him to intervene in their dispute over the interest.
During the meeting, Mokebe explained his financial difficulties, which enraged Ramotlao, who in turn cited her own struggles after being hit by a car.
The situation escalated quickly when Ramotlao confronted Mokebe, proclaiming that he would pay the debt “by hook or crook”.
In a fit of anger, Ramotlao threatened to hire a hitman to kill Mokebe and poison his child. She also vowed to harm his wife upon seeing her.
Feeling threatened, Mokebe sought assistance from the community policing forum on February 23.
During this intervention, Ramotlao admitted to making the threats, claiming they were justified. She insisted that Mokebe should be relocated for his safety.
The prosecutor said Ramotlao’s attitude during the meeting was combative, and that she dismissed the seriousness of her statements, reiterating threats and showing no remorse.
Witnesses for the prosecution corroborated Mokebe’s account, affirming they heard Ramotlao’s threatening remarks. Their testimonies painted a picture of a volatile situation fuelled by financial desperation and emotional turmoil.
When given the opportunity to explain her actions in court, Ramotlao maintained that she never intended to threaten Mokebe’s life.
She argued that her statements about him paying back the money were merely expressions of frustration.
Ramotlao also noted that the loan was not from her own funds but she had borrowed from a friend.
She further indicated that her words were misinterpreted, insisting that her threats were meant to convey the seriousness of the debt rather than to incite fear.
Pleading for leniency, Ramotlao, a mother of two, lamented her financial struggles as a street vendor.
She argued that her children would suffer in her absence due to the court proceedings.
Despite her appeal, the court found her guilty and imposed the fine, warning her about the implications of her words.
Court president Ntlobo reprimanded Mokebe, saying that he had used Ramotlao’s threats against him as a means to evade responsibility for his financial obligations.
Ntlobo warned that court proceedings were not a refuge for poor behaviour.
