Mafeteng, June 05 — The Government of Lesotho has pledged to support the family of Mr. Tsepo Maine of Ha Maine following the deaths of his two young children in a tragedy that has shocked the nation.
Delivering the government’s condolences at the family’s home on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara said government would take responsibility for the burial arrangements of the two children, aged two and four years.
Justice Majara expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family, saying they had suffered an unimaginable loss that would leave both emotional and psychological scars.
Representing the government, she said she was also speaking as a mother who understands the pain of losing a child.
She stressed the importance of counselling and psychological support for the family to help them cope with the trauma.
Justice Majara further stated that the suspect in the case should undergo a mental health assessment, saying such an act raises questions about the individual’s state of mind.
She noted that a psychiatric evaluation could assist the court in understanding the suspect’s condition before judgment is passed.
She described the incident as one of the most tragic cases the country has witnessed in recent times.Beyond words of comfort, the Deputy Prime Minister pledged that government would assist the family with the construction of a house, indicating that the project could be undertaken through the Disaster Management Authority.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development Mr. Pitso Lesaoana, who was also present, said the tragedy would not easily be forgotten because of its nature.
He said his ministry would provide counselling services to the family to help them deal with the loss.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Thaba-Phechela Constituency, Mr. Mohau Hlalele, said the Ha Maine community was deeply saddened by the incident.
He noted that many villagers were struggling to come to terms with what had happened but appreciated the government’s decision to visit and support the family during their time of mourning.
Speaking emotionally, the children’s father, Mr. Tsepo Maine, recounted the events leading up to the disappearance of his children.He said the children went missing on May 13, 2026.
According to Mr. Maine, he and his wife had travelled to town on the day, leaving the children in the care of the suspect, as they had done on previous occasions.
Mr. Maine explained that the suspect had been living with him because he was mentoring him in traditional healing practices.
He said when he and his wife returned home, they asked the suspect about the whereabouts of the children but did not receive a satisfactory response.
Police investigations into the matter are continuing.
Ends/MALE/ml
