By Kefiloe Kajane
A 32-year old woman of Pitseng in the Leribe district, ‘Makabelo Mojela appeared before the Leribe magistrate court on June 2 on charges of concealment of birth.
The court found her guilty and she was sentenced to six months in jail or a fine of M500, which she paid.
According to Sub Inspector ‘Mareabetsoe Mofoka of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service, the woman was pregnant when later the community realised that she was no longer pregnant although there was no baby.
“The community reported the matter to the chief, who in turn reported it to the police. Investigations revealed that the woman had bought pills that induced birth after which she buried the baby in her yard.
“The police went to the yard where the body was buried and fount it. The baby was a girl; she was exhumed and reburied properly at the local cemetery,” she said.
Meanwhile, in Quthing, another woman, Remaketse Porota (22) appeared before Quthing magistrate court on June 1 on charges of concealment of birth. She was found guilty and jailed without an option of a fine.
Sub Inspector Mofoka says on May 25, the woman gave birth by herself and dumped her new born in a pit toilet. The baby was later spotted by later children who alerted an elder who then reported the matter to the chief.
“The chief immediately convened a public gathering where the woman ended up confessing that she was the mother who had disposed of the baby in the toilet.
