Quthing, March 12 — Crime prevention committees from five police service areas in Quthing commemorated Moshoeshoe’ s Day with a vibrant elderly persons beauty pageant held at Upper Moyeni on Wednesday this week.
The event on a theme ‘protection and safety of elderly people a social responsibility’, started with a procession led by Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) brass band from Quthing Lower Moyeni commercial area to Liphakoe football ground AT Upper Moyeni.
The occasion was organized by the Crime Prevention Unit of Quthing LMPS office with the aim to promote care, protection and safety of elderly people against different types of abuse they are prone to because of their age.
The event attracted different public groups that include members of crime prevention committees across the district and was dignified with among others selection of 2026 King and Queen crime prevention competition, choral music and drama with crime prevention messages which encourage protection of the elderly and entertainment by local artists.
Addressing attendants at the event, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Mr. Thabo Mofosi applauded the Quthing Police for being aware that elderly people are left behind when awareness of protection against different types of abuse is focusing on women and children yet elderly people are as well vulnerable.
Mr. Mofosi said it is time that grandparents that have worked hard to raise and protect the current nation are protected as well to show them appreciation.
He stated the police should work hand in hand with the department of Agriculture and of health through village health workers, agricultural extension officers and crime prevention committees to ensure that elderly people from village level produce vegetables for promotion of their good health.
Mr. Mofosi who is also a member of parliament for Moyeni Constituency emphasized a need for the invitation of the local business community to annually fund and improve the event. He also pledged support of M20,000 00 for the year 2027 similar event.
At the same occasion, the member of Parliament Mrs. ‘Masebueng Nkuebe said it is wrong that elderly people are prone to different types of abuse that include brutal killings by criminals for witchcraft associated claims and also cheated by grandchildren with their old age pension.
She expressed the need for protection of elderly as they are important since they act as pillars of stability, knowledge, support and preserve cultural traditions, offer mentorship, and strengthen social cohesion.
District Commissioner Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seabata Tutuoane noted that Quthing Police is aware that elderly persons are prone to various types of abuse such as theft of their pension and brutal killings which make them to live with fear, thus they have decided with this event to launch ensuring their protection and safety measures working hand in hand with crime prevention committees from village level.
In an interview one of the beauty pageant winners, Mrs. ‘Mamotlatsi Hlabisi from Moeling in Mount Moorosi police service area, who was crowned as 2026 Queen Quthing Crime Prevention, expressed gratitude for the event highlighting that it has been a motivational experience to restore their hope as elderly persons that they are recognized and will be protected to enjoy elderly life as grandparents.
Mr. Pitso Leche from Ha Tlhaku in Ts’itsong Police Station, commended the Quthing police for the event of its kind in which elderly persons have been assured protection, adding they have been motivated to enjoy their old age feeling important in the society.
The Quthing 2026 Mr. and Mrs. winners first prizes were each awarded a trophy, M1, 900.00, crown for Mrs. and Magic lucky stick while second prize winners received gold trophy each and M1000, and third prize was M500 for both male and female winners.
At least 20 elderly persons that comprise of 10 males and 10 females who took part in beauty pageant and were all awarded gold models.
Tele police station won first and the only prize for best choral music with a song on importance of crime prevention and community policing strategies at village level.
This was the first event of its kind to be held in the district. Quthing has five police service areas namely Mphaki, Mt. Moorosi, Tele, Dilli-Dilli and Quthing Urban.
The Member of Parliament for Mount Moorosi Constituency Mr. Thuso Mosetlelo was also present at the event.
Moshoeshoe’ s Day is commemorated annually on March 11 to mark the death of King Moshoeshoe I the founder of Basotho nation.
Ends/NK/tl
