…as one victim’s father seeks court approval to terminate minor’s pregnancy
Moorosi Tsiane
A Ha-Thetsane man has approached the High Court seeking permission for Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital to terminate his minor daughter’s pregnancy after she allegedly conceived following sexual abuse by a drama and dance instructor, Malefetsane Thekiso.
Thekiso is reportedly a fugitive, wanted by police in connection with at least four separate rape cases.
According to court papers seen by this publication, the girl allegedly met Thekiso in November last year along with two school friends after he introduced himself as a drama and dance instructor recruiting young people into the arts industry.
The applicant states that his daughter and her friends began attending sessions at Thekiso’s studio in Lesia, Ha-Thetsane, Maseru, believing they were joining a legitimate arts programme.
The father says he only became aware that something was wrong in February this year when his daughter fell ill.
“On or around 20 February 2026, I realised that my daughter was unwell and took her to a local health centre. Various medical tests were conducted and revealed that she was four weeks pregnant. At the time of lodging this application before this Honourable Court, the pregnancy is now approximately 10 weeks,” he states in his affidavit.
He says the discovery prompted him to question his daughter about the circumstances leading to the pregnancy. She allegedly identified Thekiso as responsible.
“The discovery that she was pregnant at her age prompted an enquiry into what had transpired. She disclosed that the father of the unborn child is one Malefetsane Thekiso, who has since absconded upon realising that police are pursuing him for numerous sexual offences involving several minor children, including my daughter and other girls from areas around Lesia, Ha-Thetsane and Qoaling, Maseru,” the affidavit reads.
The applicant further states that his daughter recounted how she and her friends were initially exposed to what appeared to be normal activities at the studio, which later became inappropriate.
According to the affidavit, the children were allegedly introduced to games during gatherings that escalated into abusive situations.
The father says his daughter did not immediately report the incidents due to fear of being reprimanded for attending the sessions without parental permission.
“She indicated that everything appeared normal during earlier visits until January 2026, when matters took a disturbing turn. She did not report the incidents at the time, fearing reprimand from her parents or teachers for disobeying instructions not to engage with strangers. She only ceased attending the sessions, unaware that she had already fallen pregnant,” he states.
The applicant argues that his daughter did not consent to any sexual activity and had only sought to pursue her interest in acting and the arts.
He further submits that continuing the pregnancy at such a young age could negatively impact her education, emotional wellbeing and future prospects.
The father also cites health risks associated with adolescent pregnancies, noting the potential for complications.
“I aver that it will be in the best interests of my daughter and the unborn child for the pregnancy to be terminated at this stage,” he states in the application.
Meanwhile, this publication has established that Thekiso is wanted by police.
The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) recently circulated his details on its Facebook page, stating that he is wanted in connection with four sexual offence cases registered under RCI 75/02/26, 62/02/26, 37/03/26 and 76/03/26.