Moorosi Tsiane
THE Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) has launched a fresh investigation into a string of ritual murder cases in Semonkong dating back to 2017, amid suspicions that some of its own officers deliberately obstructed justice to protect a syndicate allegedly linked to politicians and businesspeople.
The probe, spearheaded by the specialised Operation Fiela, is focusing on both the killings and alleged corruption within police ranks that may have allowed the cases to go unpunished for years.
Operation Fiela is a multi-agency investigation team led by the LMPS, with members drawn from the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), National Security Service (NSS) and Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS). It was established in April 2024 to tackle the high murder rate gripping the country.
Sources close to the investigations say the killings were not random acts of violence, but part of an organised operation in which victims were allegedly murdered for body parts destined for ritual use by influential figures.
Crucially, the source alleged that some police officers were embedded within the syndicate and actively undermined investigations.
“There was deliberate interference in these cases. Some officers would leave loopholes, mishandle evidence and, in some instances, ensure that key procedures like postmortems were not conducted or properly recorded,” the source said.
At least four police officers stationed in Semonkong during the period under review have reportedly been linked to the alleged cover-up. Their actions are believed to have compromised multiple cases, preventing them from reaching the prosecution stage.
“These officers are suspected to have been working in cahoots with certain political elites and businesspeople. Victims were killed, their body parts harvested and handed to traditional doctors, who then used them to make muti for clients in exchange for money,” the source added.
The scale of the alleged obstruction has prompted the LMPS to assemble a dedicated team to reopen affected case files. The team is expected to travel to Semonkong to re-examine evidence, revisit crime scenes and, where necessary, exhume bodies for fresh postmortem examinations.
“Some bodies may be exhumed because postmortems were either not conducted or reports were never filed in the dockets. That is part of why there was never enough evidence to prosecute,” the source said.
Police spokesperson, Superintendent Thabo Mohai ,confirmed that investigations into ritual murder cases are ongoing under Operation Fiela, but declined to provide further details.
“We have a team already working on these cases, and three suspects have been charged this week. However, I cannot divulge much at this stage as it may jeopardise the investigations,” Supt Mohai said.
It is not yet clear how the Semonkong police officers benefitted from jeorpadising these cases. However, these fresh investigations are expected to expose the details of the rot.
Maletsunyane constituency legislator, Peiso Jacob Kelane, expressed concern over both the killings and allegations of police involvement, warning that the situation could tarnish Semonkong’s image as a key tourism destination.
“This is very worrying. Semonkong is one of Lesotho’s tourism hubs. Such reports of killings and alleged police interference could scare away investors and visitors,” Mr Kelane said.
He called for a deeper probe into those believed to be orchestrating the crimes.
“Our police need to dig deeper. In many of these cases, the same names keep coming up. It is important to establish who is sending these killers and who is benefiting from these horrific acts,” he added.
Semonkong is home to the iconic Maletsunyane Falls, Southern Africa’s highest single-drop waterfall, famed for the mist created as water plunges into the gorge — giving rise to the name “Place of Smoke”. The area also hosts the annual Maletsunyane Braai Festival each November, attracting both local and international visitors.
Meanwhile, three Semonkong men — Koekoele Koekoele (28), Pitso Moliea (19) and Phakiso Ramothibe (41) — appeared before the Maseru Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with the brutal murder of Lehlohonolo Ramothibe.
The trio allegedly beat the victim with fighting sticks, stabbed him and harvested his heart in February this year.
They were remanded in custody at the Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) and may apply for bail before the High Court, which has jurisdiction over murder cases.