…in alleged M10k contract killing
Staff Reporter
A Peka couple has appeared before the Leribe Magistrate’s Court, charged with the murder of a 57-year-old man believed to be their neighbour.
The accused, 48-year-old Mosala Rathaba and his wife, 38-year-old ’Matsoakae Rathaba, were remanded in custody this past week pending bail and/or trial. They are expected back in court on Tuesday.
According to Detective Sergeant Abiel Ponoane of the Peka Criminal Investigations Division, police received a report on 16 April 2026 that a 57-year-old man had been shot.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim was gunned down at his home shortly after 6:00pm by unidentified assailants, who allegedly fired multiple shots. He was initially rushed to Berea Hospital and later transferred to Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital in Maseru, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Police arrested the suspects on 16 and 17 April 2026 following investigations.
It is alleged that Mosala Rathaba was out on bail at the time for a separate case involving malicious damage to the same victim’s property. In that earlier incident, he was accused of breaking the victim’s house windows and puncturing his car tyres after a dispute over access to a pathway between their properties.
Detective Sergeant Ponoane further alleged that the accused hired two men from Liphakoeng, Peka, paying them M10,000 to carry out the killing. On 15 April 2026, the suspects allegedly collected the hired assailants using their own vehicle and brought them to their area, where they spent the day tracking the victim.
The following evening, the plan was allegedly executed through the fatal shooting.
Earlier, on 7 April 2026, Mosala had appeared before the Leribe Magistrate’s Court on charges of malicious damage to property involving the same neighbour and was granted bail of M3,000.
Police Constable Mohlongoana Rafoneke of the Peka Investigations Office said the initial complaint was filed on 1 June 2025, with the victim reporting that his property had been vandalised the previous day.
Investigations revealed an ongoing dispute between the neighbours over a pathway separating their yards. During the incident, the accused allegedly attacked the victim at his home, breaking windows, puncturing car tyres and damaging household property.
After the vandalism incident, the accused reportedly fled to South Africa. He was later traced to his wife’s residence and arrested on 4 April 2026.
Senior Inspector Khopiso Mothibeli, Station Commander of Peka Police, has urged the public to resolve disputes amicably and avoid resorting to violence.