Maseru, Mar. 13 — A judge presiding over a case in which a domestic helper and her boyfriend were charged with the murder of an eight- year old boy, Justice Ts’eliso Mokoko, says those who commit offences against women and children who are vulnerable members of the community, deserve severe punishment.
This he said on Friday when passing a sentence on Mots’elisi Maoeng who was employed as a domestic worker by the Sekokotoana family at Ha Leqele in Maseru together with her boyfriend John Lefoka.
The duo was on Thursday found guilty of the murder of Liteboho Sekokotoana (8 years) which occured on April 07 2025 at his home whereby they wrapped him with sellotape leading to his suffocation and death. They were also found guilty of theft as they stole properties belonging to Maoeng’s employers, also the parents of the deceased ‘Malithakong and Lillo Sekokotoana. They were further convicted of assault of the deceased’s brother Lereko Sekokotoana (15 years) which occured on the same day.
Prior to sentencing the duo to the concurrent 40 years imprisonment for murder, five years for theft and a year in jail for assault, the judge remarked that the alarming rate of violence against women and children is a concern. He pointed out that through its sentences, the court has to send a message to potential offenders and the community that offences against women and children will face the law.
“The court has taken judicial notice that the trust of the society in the criminal justice system has diminished,” he said, adding that it is the duty of the court to restore that by imposing severe sentences on those who commit offences against women and children.
Evidence before court has revealed that the accused stole several properties from the Sekokotoana home including groceries, kitchen utensils, clothes, cellphone, money and bank card. It further revealed that they demanded a pin to the bank card from the deceased and when he could not provide it they wrapped him with the sellotape.
The evidence showed that the accused assaulted the brother of the deceased when he too could not reveal the pin to them. It added that they even attempted to apply sellotape on him but he managed to overpower them as they were under the influence of alcohol and he escaped.
According to a Forensic Pathologist, the deceased died due to smothering.
In his judgment delivered on Thursday, the judge stated that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused. He indicated that it is clear that the accused shared common purpose and intention as they acted together when they committed the offences.
“The court is of the view that, when they wrapped the deceased with the sellotape, they foresaw the risk of death occurring, but they recklessly continued and gambled with the life of the deceased”, said the judge.
The prosecution was represented by Advocate Thato Lepheane while the accused were represented by Advocates Pelele Ntori and Nketsi Makhera.
Ends/SM/tl
