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…officer had gunned down another man over a woman
Moorosi Tsiane
A Quthing-based National Security Service (NSS) officer has been killed by a mob. This after he had fatally shot another man over a woman.
The incident happened on 4 September 2022.
Police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli this week said Seisa Nyakane, whose NSS rank was not given, got into a squabble with one Sejanamane Mpiti over a woman who was drinking with them at a bar in Quthing. It is not clear if the woman was romantically involved with either or both of the now deceased men.
Nyakane then drew his gun and shot at Mpiti six times. The latter was rushed to hospital where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
Angered by the shooting incident, some people who had also been at the bar, joined forces to mete out instant justice on Nyakane. They repeatedly assaulted him until he died, Senior Supt Mopeli said in a statement.
“Seisa Nyakane, originally from Ha-Sekake, Qacha’s Nek, who was a National Security Service officer, was beaten to death after he shot Sejanamane Mpiti six times at a tavern in Quthing on 4 September 2022,” Senior Supt Mopeli said.
“It is reported that there was a squabble between the two over a lady whom they were with at the tavern. Nyakane pulled out his 7.65 CZ83 gun and shot Mpiti six times. He was rushed to hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Some community members, who were angered by the shooting, attacked Nyakane and beat him to death,” Senior Supt Mopeli said.
He said upon being informed of the incident, police had rushed to the scene only to find Nyakane’s lifeless body lying on the tavern floor.
“Upon learning of the shooting and the subsequent mob attack, the police rushed to the crime scene and found Nyakane’s body on the tavern floor. It had some terrible wounds from the beating the now deceased had been subjected to by the mob. From there the officers went to the Quthing hospital to inspect the body of Mpiti who was already dead. It had six bullet wounds. No arrests have been made yet and investigations are ongoing,” Senior Supt Mopeli said.
Crimes involving members of the NSS and other security agencies are seemingly on the rise.
Last week, a Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) officer, Peete Motlapaneng, appeared before the Leribe Magistrates’ Court on murder charges.
Motlapaneng (37) stands accused of fatally shooting his wife’s boyfriend in Hlotse, Leribe, on 4 September 2022.
He was arrested the day of the shooting and he appeared before Magistrate Mpho Motsoene on Thursday.
Magistrate Motsoene remanded him in custody and told him to apply for bail at the High Court if he so wished. This is because the magistrates’ courts have no jurisdiction to try murder cases and to grant bail to suspects. They can only conduct preparatory examinations and remand suspects before their trials are moved to the High Court which has the jurisdiction over such cases.
According to the charge sheet, Motlapaneng shot his wife’s boyfriend, Matooane Mapefane, four times and he died instantly.
Back in May, an NSS officer was charged with sodomising a 16-year-old boy and raping a 14-year-old girl.
The officer, Khethollo Lekoane (52), hails from Levy’s Nek, Butha-Buthe. He is said to have resigned in the wake of the damaging alleged crimes which have got him arrested. He is said to boast over 30 years’ experience in the NSS.
His case is pending before the Leribe Magistrates’ Court.
In April, a Ha ‘Mapotsane, Mohale’s Hoek woman was gunned down by her police officer husband.
The victim was 38-year-old Relebohile Tšolo.
Her killer cop husband, Lance Sergeant Letsie Posholi (44), was based at the police headquarters in Maseru. He served on the Interpol desk, tasked with facilitating worldwide police cooperation and crime control.
He was subsequently arrested and the matter is pending in the courts of law.
Before that in March, another NSS officer, Rethabile Tsietsi (40), allegedly shot and killed his stepson, Bokang Tsietsi.
Tsietsi was arrested but immediately granted bail. His case is pending before the courts of law.
