‘Mantšali Phakoana
The brutal murder of Disaster Management Authority (DMA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Makhotso Mahosi (45) and her nine-year-old son at her Ha Matala Phase I in Maseru home on Sunday night has left the local community shell shocked.
Police said the two were allegedly gunned down by two unknown gun men who stormed their living house around 7pm.
The family’s helper was critically injured during the shooting and is fighting for her life in hospital.
The area chief of Matala Phase I, ‘Makelebone Letsie, yesterday described the incident as “unforgettable”.
She told theReporter in an interview that she arrived at Mahosi’s house a few minutes after the shooting after one of the neighbours broke the news to her through the phone.
By the time she arrived, the police and other villagers were already at the scene where Mahosi and her son were lying on the floor dead.
“It was very disturbing and heart breaking to see the two lying on the floor dead. No one deserves to be killed like a dog like this,” Chief Letsie said.
She noted that no words could describe the horror and what the villagers saw on that night. It would take a very long time for them to get over it.
“We will need God’s guidance to gain strength,” she said.
She added: “Life is short and fragile; we have to thank God every day. We are living with a ‘sad’ nation unaware.”
Chief Letsie said it was sad that to some people, killing others was a small thing that they can do without any remorse or thinking twice.
“We do not know what this country has turned into. This is cruelty. We live by mercy.”
The chief described Mahosi as a very loving, respecting and kind mother to her three children – two sons and a daughter – a well as other people.
Police acting spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Kabelo Halahala told the press on Tuesday that Mahosi, her son, and the house helper were in the living room watching TV when they heard a knock on the door.
A few minutes, Mahosi’s driver entered the house, Snr Supt Halahala said.
“Immediately after Mme Mahosi’s driver entered the house, two armed men pulled him back outside and forced themselves in.
“One of the men dragged Mme Mahosi to her bed room pointing a gun at her and asking her for money, while the other man remained in the living room pointing a gun at the child and helper.
“Shortly they returned to the living room where the shooting took place. Mme Mahosi and her son died instantly while the helper was rushed to the hospital,” he explained.
He however, did not say whether the suspects got the money they were looking for or not.
Snr Supt Halahala said the driver later came back with the police to find Mahosi and the son lying dead on the floor.
He pleaded with the nation to assist police with information that might lead to the arrest of the suspects, adding that investigations were underway.
Mahosi’s husband, Haretsebe Mahosi, yesterday declined to comment saying the family had not decided to make a statement yet.
“I am not ready to say anything because the family has not decided on talking to the media yet,” he said.
“All I can say is that it is true Mme was shot dead together with the child. The helper was also shot and is now in hospital,” he added.
Mahosi was facing charges of fraudulently awarding a M4 538 900. 14 tender to a construction company belonging to one Pitso Ntsukunyane for construction of a bridge at Seboche, Botha-Bothe among other charges.
She was accused along with former principal Secretary (Ps) health, Lefu Manyokole and Ntsukunyane. The trio were released on M10 000 bail.
Mahosi who was then the chief accounting officer DMA was a key witness before the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), to answer questions on the alleged misuse of funds allocated during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Appearing before the PAC on September 11 2023, Lesotho Defence Force’s Major-General Ramanka Mokaloba asked the government to provide witnesses with protection.
He noted that there were reports of deaths of procurement officers in Cabinet due to the PAC investigations and hearings.
Major-General Mokaloba warned of more deaths should the government fail to provide the witnesses with protection.
“This process of investigating procurement officers is very serious. There are officers who have been killed and more are likely to die because clearly there is more that needs to be uncovered from procurement offices.
“Such matters should be handled with urgency and care and the witnesses should be protected,” Mokaloba warned, without further substantiating his claims.
