Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Lesotho Times
Published on 2024-03-26 13:49:38
Hopolang Mokhopi
Three Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) officers were arrested in South Africa last week for a trial related to stolen cattle from Mafeteng, as reported by the Lesotho Times.
LMPS spokesperson, Senior Inspector Kabelo Halahala, stated that the three officers were arrested while on duty but were released the following day.
The Mangaung Metro Police’s Corporate Communications and Liaison Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, informed the publication that five Basotho individuals, including the three police officers, were arrested for being in South Africa illegally. They were also charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and aiding and abetting the transportation of illegal immigrants.
The police officers identified as Detective Sergeant Bokang Phekoli (36), Sergeant Mashiea Senaba (52), and Sergeant Pakiso Ntsoele (40) were traveling in a marked LMPS vehicle with Marelebeletse Bernadiana Tlaitlai (31) and Khosana Tṧotetsi (39).
They appeared before a South African court on 15 March 2024 but were released immediately after South Africa’s National Prosecution Authority (NPA) found no prospects of success in prosecuting them, according to Lt-Col Covane.
SSP Halahala explained that Mr. Tṧotetsi and Ms. Tlaitlai from Ketane had reported their stolen cattle, prompting the three officers to accompany them to Wepener in pursuit of the thieves. However, they forgot to bring the documentation for their firearms.
He mentioned that they usually crossed the border without showing passports when dealing with stock theft cases, similar to how South African counterparts enter Lesotho while tracing stolen livestock.
The Lesotho policemen encountered a roadblock manned by South African police officers who were unaware of the arrangement. Despite explaining their emergency procedures, they were locked up in cells. They were released the next day after clarifying the situation.
In conclusion, the misunderstanding led to the temporary detention of the LMPS officers in South Africa. Their actions were in pursuit of stolen cattle, but they were met with challenges due to lack of proper documentation. Cooperation between law enforcement agencies in cross-border cases is crucial to avoid such incidents in the future.
Read the original article on Lesotho Times
