The High Court of Lesotho has declared that it has a duty to protect women, especially the elderly, who continue to suffer and die at the hands of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.
This powerful statement was made on Friday by Justice Tšeliso Mokoko during the sentencing of 41-year-old Mpho Teetsa of Ha Ralintši, Mafeteng. Teetsa was found guilty of the brutal killing of 79-year-old ‘Malebohang Motene, whom he accused of witchcraft.
The court sentenced him to 40 years in prison for the crime.
Before passing the sentence, Justice Mokoko strongly condemned the continued violence against women in Lesotho. He said the courts have a duty to send a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated.
“Women are crying out for protection,” he said. “The court has the responsibility to ensure that women, especially the elderly, are protected from senseless violence. The killing of women is becoming far too common, and society is rightly raising its voice against this.”
The judge said he was particularly disturbed by the increasing number of elderly women who are killed on accusations of witchcraft. He explained that instead of being respected, loved, and cared for, elderly women are often abused, abandoned, or murdered by younger men who should be their protectors.
“There is a public outcry about these killings. The elderly should be loved and cared for, but unfortunately, we are seeing the opposite. The court must stand firmly against such cruel behaviour,” Justice Mokoko added.
The case before the court shocked many in the community. Teetsa had accused Motene, a 79-year-old grandmother, of witchcraft. Instead of seeking lawful solutions or guidance, he took the law into his own hands and ended her life.
In delivering his judgment, Justice Mokoko described the act as cruel, unjustified, and inhumane. He said that violence against women not only destroys families but also shakes the very foundation of society. He emphasised that punishing perpetrators of GBV is necessary to send a message of deterrence to others.
“Courts cannot ignore the suffering of women in this country. Every time a woman is killed, a family is destroyed, and the community is left in fear. Strong sentences are the only way to show that the justice system takes these crimes seriously,” he said.
Gender-based violence remains one of the biggest challenges in Lesotho. Human rights groups and community activists have repeatedly called on the government and the courts to do more to protect women and to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
The sentencing of Teetsa has been welcomed as a step in the right direction, but campaigners say there is still much more to be done to address the root causes of GBV, including harmful cultural beliefs, poverty, and lack of education.
As Teetsa begins his 40-year sentence, the case serves as another reminder of the urgent need for society to protect its most vulnerable members, women and the elderly.
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