71-year-old granny raped, murdered

QACHA’S NEK – A 71-year-old grandmother was allegedly raped and later brutally killed by unknown men in Ratšoleli in Qacha’s Nek last weekend.
’Matumo Ramoopo’s lifeless body was found lying helplessly on the ground in the early hours of Sunday.

The chief of Ratšoleli, Chieftainess ’Maletsoalo Makhaola, said someone told her that Ramoopo was heard shouting saying she was not going that way as if someone was forcing her to go where she did not want to go.

The voices of people who were talking to her were also heard, the chieftainess said.
Chieftainess Makhaola said it is believed that Ramoopo was battered and later raped.

She said Ramoopo was coming from a traditional ceremony in a village not far from hers.

“I was with her at the ceremony,” Chieftainess Makhaola said.

“The deceased left the ceremony at around 4pm heading back home,” she said.

“It was not late because she was not going far.”

Chieftainess Makhaola said the gruesome killing of Ramoopo had left her community in great shock.
She said they have never experienced such a ghastly incident in their area.

“Common crimes here include robbery, not rape and killings,” she said.

“I am gravely worried by the incident. It is inhumane to see people being killed like dogs,” she added.

She said a public gathering will be organised soon so that the community can come up with ways to effectively tackle crime in the village.
Chieftainess Makhaola said they need to join hands in the fight against crime in her village.

She said she will also rope in the police and councillors so that they can deal with criminals together.
The local councillor, Setimela Phamotse, said on that unfortunate day, there were also some criminal activities that happened in the village.

Phamotse said there were several attempts of house-breaking by four boys.
And those boys even tried to enter the houses through the windows.

He said the community believes the four boys are suspects who were linked to the murder of Ramoopo.
Phamotse said he is still talking to the police about those suspects although one of them has disappeared.

“The other suspects are still around,” Phamotse said.

“A hat belonging to one of the suspects has been identified,” he said.

“Because they know they have been identified, another who is a herd boy is no longer sleeping at his home because he is afraid that he could be picked up.”

Phamotse said they fear the boy could flee since his contract is about to end.

“This means chances are high that he might leave the place and never come back to face the wrath of the law,” he said.

Phamotse said they want the law enforcing officers to deal ruthlessly with those behind the crimes.

“These boys have to be taken to where they belong,” he said.

He said two of the suspects are linked to a notorious gang known as bonomoro.
He said they believe this culture of bonomoro was introduced in the area by a boy from Mafeteng who is staying with them.

Phamotse said they will not rest but will incorporate the chief and community policing forums to solve the crime.
Mokena Ramakeoana, a member of the local community policing forum, said the new wave of crime around their villages had caught them unaware.

Ramakeoana said they do not have any skills to deal with the suspects.
He said what has happened in their area had left them in grief.

He said they have to step up their game against crime so that crime is controlled.
Their fear is that this might affect one of them in future as they have young daughters.

Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli said he was still to be briefed about the matter.

Thooe Ramolibeli