Tsitsi Matope
A TEXTILE factory worker was seriously injured last Thursday when she was shot during an exchange of gunfire between two suspected robbers and security guards in Motimposo.
The woman was in a taxi which had stopped to drop a passenger, when a bakkie travelling in the same direction was blocked by armed men at around 7pm.
According to the District Commissioner for Maseru Urban, Senior Superintendent Mofokeng Kolo, the suspects demanded money from the driver of the bakkie before opening fire.
“The security guards, who were sitting at the back of the bakkie being driven by a Chinese businessman, fired back at the suspects and managed to scare them away,” Snr Supt Kolo said.
He further explained it was during this exchange of fire that a stray bullet hit the woman who was sitting in the taxi.
The woman sustained injuries in her right leg and was rushed to Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital where she was treated as an outpatient, Snr Supt Kolo said.
“We believe the suspects had known about the businessman’s movements, and thought he had money. However, we have since learnt that the businessman had offered to take his employees home because he was travelling in the same direction. He was not in possession of a large sum of money, as the robbers suspected.”
Snr Supt Kolo further said the police believe the attackers are part of a syndicate which has been targeting supermarkets in the greater Maseru area.
“Last week, a 52-year-old businessman from Naleli was shot dead by a robber who had entered his shop pretending to be a customer before demanding money.
“The businessman, who had just turned to take some money so he could give it to the gunman, was shot twice in his back before the assailant fled.”
Snr Supt Kolo said, so far, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of the businessman and Thursday’s shooting.