Motete, a community council comprising of several villages in the Botha-Bothe district of Lesotho, is in the grip of a crisis that threatens the rights and futures of its children. Over the past year, six girls under the age of 16 were married off, while another four were victims of sexual violence. These alarming figures have drawn the attention of the Ministry of Social Development, prompting a public gathering to address the issue.
The gathering served as a platform for government officials, law enforcement, and community members to confront the disturbing practices that have plagued Motete. From forced marriages to unreported cases of abuse, the event revealed the deep-rooted challenges the village faces in protecting its children.
Speaking at the gathering, Social Development District Coordinator, Mr. Horoto Horoto, expressed the ministry’s grave concern over the violations taking place in Motete. “We have received disturbing reports of children being forced into early marriages and even raped. As a ministry, we condemn these acts in the strongest terms,” he said.
Horoto highlighted that the government is doing its part to secure a brighter future for these children by paying for their education. Out of the 368 students enrolled at Motete High School, 304 have their school fees covered by the Ministry of Social Development. Yet, he lamented that this investment is undermined by parents and community members who condone or even perpetuate these abuses.
“The Sesotho saying ‘mokoko o itsoalla lithole’—a cock produces its own hens—has been twisted to justify incest and abuse. This is unacceptable. We cannot allow children to be treated as commodities,” Horoto declared.
While officials condemned the violations, parents at the gathering painted a complex picture of the situation. Many admitted to struggling with the behaviour of their children, who frequently skip school to engage in sexual activities in nearby bushes, nicknamed “lithalese” (tiled houses).
One parent, Mr. Kheola Mokitimi, explained the difficult choices they face. “When children refuse to go to school and instead insist on getting married—sometimes already pregnant—what can we do? Some even threaten to commit suicide if we don’t let them marry,” he said.
Such remarks underscore the community’s internal conflict. While many parents want the best for their children, they are often overwhelmed by societal pressures and the absence of adequate support systems.
The Ministry of Education is equally troubled by the situation in Motete. Representative Thabo Lebusetsa emphasised the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty but noted that the lack of cooperation between parents and children poses a significant barrier.
“Children must avoid risky behaviours like walking at night or engaging in premature relationships. Education is their gateway to a brighter future,” he said.
Lebusetsa urged the community to foster a culture of learning and discipline, warning that without it, the village’s prospects would remain bleak.
The Lesotho Mounted Police Service’s Child and Gender Protection Unit has vowed to tackle the ongoing violations in Motete. Officer Makananelo Sefuba stressed that unreported cases of sexual abuse allow perpetrators to act with impunity.
“Parents must stop using poverty as an excuse to commit crimes. By failing to report abuse, you are enabling these behaviours to continue unchecked,” she said.
Sefuba warned that the police would take decisive action against anyone found complicit in child marriages or other abuses. “Our role is to prevent criminal activities, and we will not hesitate to act,” she added.
One of the key issues raised at the gathering was the lack of a nearby police post. Currently, the closest station is in Kao, which residents say is too far to address their urgent needs. District Administrator Mr. Ts’epa Chaba pledged to advocate for a police post in Motete to enhance law enforcement in the area.
Chaba also issued a stern rebuke to community members who protect perpetrators. “You know who these criminals are—they are your neighbours, your relatives. Yet, you stay silent. This cannot continue,” he said.
Motete’s struggles are not unique. A 2019 United Nations report revealed that one in five girls in Lesotho marries before the age of 18. This alarming trend has prompted the government to propose amendments to the Child Protection and Welfare Bill.
The 2023 amendment seeks to criminalise child marriage and set the minimum legal marriage age at 18 for both boys and girls. Introduced by the Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports, Arts, Culture, and Social Development, Lesaoana Pitso, the Bill also outlines severe penalties for violators, including fines and imprisonment.
If passed, the amendment will align Lesotho’s laws with international standards, such as the 1993 Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoption and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) model law on eradicating child marriage.
At the heart of Motete’s challenges is poverty, which drives many families to see early marriage as a solution. For some parents, marrying off their daughters means fewer mouths to feed and, in some cases, a source of income through bride prices.
However, these short-term gains come at a high cost. Child marriage often leads to school dropouts, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and limiting economic opportunities for young women.
To address these issues, a multifaceted approach is needed. Education campaigns can help change attitudes toward child marriage, while economic support for families can reduce the financial pressures that drive these practices.
Community leaders, parents, and children must work together to create an environment where education and child protection are prioritized. Local authorities should also strengthen partnerships with law enforcement to ensure that crimes are reported and perpetrators are held accountable.
One of the students at Motete High School, Moleboheng Patsa, explained that she has heard about places where her schoolmates go to engage in inappropriate activities. She admitted that some students even skip school to visit these places, despite repeated interventions from teachers, which have so far yielded no change.
Moleboheng further noted that some students get married while still attending school, and many of them are now pregnant.
The school’s Principal, Mr. Mots’onyane Tsoelike, expressed surprise at reports of these locations, stating it was the first time they had been informed about students engaging in such behaviour. He added that the students are scared to share this information with their teachers.
Mr. Tsoelike emphasised the importance of parental involvement in disciplining their children, noting that many parents seem unaware of their children’s behaviour. He observed that when teachers seek parental intervention, it often appears as though the parents have given up on managing their children.
He further explained that the school frequently reports such issues to the police for intervention or assistance, particularly in cases where married students need to be brought back to school. However, in most instances, the students marry because they are already pregnant. Once married, the young girls take on the responsibilities of motherhood, often making it difficult for them to continue their education.
The public gathering in Motete was a vital first step in addressing the village’s challenges, but it must be followed by concrete actions. The government, civil society, and the community must work together to protect the rights of Motete’s children and ensure they have a chance at a brighter future.
As Lesotho moves forward with legislative reforms, the country must also focus on changing the social and economic conditions that allow child marriage and abuse to persist. Only then can villages like Motete break free from the cycle of poverty and violence that has plagued them for generations.
