Mokhotlong, March 03 — The Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development has expressed concern over the upward trend of Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases in the district and urged all to join forces to reduce the statistics.
Mr. Pitso Lesaoana said this after the Officer Commanding Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) in Mokhotlong Inspector Seemane Nkhahle presented the number of cases recorded by years from February 2024 to 2026 at the Mokhotlong Police Station and Tlokoeng, Police Post (Mapholaneng) during a meeting held at the District Administrator’s office premises on Tuesday.
The Minister stated that a root cause to GBV should be established so as to reduce the crime for protection of women and girls.
The engagement with the District Police Commissioner, Minister Lesaoana, United Nations Population Fund UNFPA Representative in Lesotho and the Chief Executive Officers of Lets’eng Diamonds Mine and Vodacom Lesotho as well as the District Administrator for Mokhotlong was basically to discuss GBV related issues, challenges the police face and what could be done to create safe space for GBV victims when they arrive at the police to report.
Giving the statistics on reported cases Inspector Nkhahle said in 2024 there were 50 cases of sexual offences that affected adults while there were 60 cases recorded affecting minors.
He further said in 2025 there were 60 cases and 70 recorded for adults and minors respectively while seven cases were reported affecting adults and 15 to minors in February this year.
He added that on physical abuse or domestic violence 70 cases were recorded in 2024, 98 cases recorded in 2025 while 2026 has already recorded 25 cases.
In Tlokoeng Police Post during a similar period, sexual offences cases to adults were 30 against 35 of minors in 2024.
In 2025, 45 cases were for affected adults while 50 affected minors. 2026 showed three cases and two to adults and minors respectively.
On domestic violence the police Post recorded 10 cases in 2024, 25 in 2025 and five in February this year.
Inspector Nkhahle indicated that teenage pregnancy, abduction or child marriage cases were also recorded during the stated years.
He concluded that most of the case were heard before court and accused got sentenced while other cases are still pending investigations.
Standing in for the District Police Commissioner was Senior Inspector Masoli Khoanyane who said the separated report has been made to give a clear picture of the crimes in the district at different police stations.
Highlighting the challenges that the police have, Senior Inspector Khoanyane mentioned that an office space is a one of the challenges saying there is need for a safe space to receive reports from victims of GBV especially minors.
He said there is also a need for a desktop computer to compile reports of cases recorded, chairs for clients, and camping tents for police officers and toys as play therapy for children.
He said CGPU office needs to be branded to make it visible for its intended clients adding that they also need quarterly trainings to enhance services provided by the Unit.
Meanwhile UNFPA Representative in Lesotho Mr. John Mosoti promised support to CGPU to ensure safe spaces for GBV clients in the district.
Mokhotlong district is reported to be the second highest with GBV cases after Thaba Tseka, according to the findings of the Lesotho Demographic Survey conducted in 2024.
The mission visited another Adolescent Health Corner erected with SolidarMed Lesotho support at Mapholaneng where UNFPA handed over a laptop and three computers to be used by the youth when the visit the facility.
Another similar Corner was visited on Monday in Mokhotlong town where Vodacom Lesotho donated four computers and one laptop with free internet connection. All intended for youth empowerment.
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