Pascalinah Kabi
ARMY officers based at Oxbow in Mokhotlong recently apprehended six suspects wanted in connection with armed robbery and the torture of 10 Pakistani nationals in the district.
The suspects allegedly burnt the victims with electric irons at their rented home in Checha, Mokhotlong before fleeing with M80 000, a van and clothes.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Clifford Molefe confirmed the arrests, adding: “Investigations are ongoing and once complete the suspects, aged between 27 and 39, will appear in court.
“According to the report given to us by the victims, the suspects arrived at their residence on the night of 31 October 2016 and stole M80 000 in cash, a van and clothes at gunpoint.”
Supt Molefe said the police alerted security forces in the district immediately after receiving armed robbery reports on Monday night who in turn arrested the six the next day.
“Six suspects were arrested by members of the army based at Oxbow and they were found in possession of M20 000 in cash, two 7.65 millimeter pistols and 11 (rounds of) ammunition and a 9 mm pistol and its 11 bullets,” he said, adding the van was found abandoned at Lentsoete in Mokhotlong.
He also said the arrests was further proof that the army and police had buried the hatchet and were now closely working together.
The Lesotho Mounted Police Service and Lesotho Defense Force were in conflict during the tenure of the past coalition government led by Dr Thomas Thabane, which culminated in military attacks on several police stations in Maseru on 30 August 2014.
“We now enjoy good working relations and this is not the first time the army have helped the police arrest crime suspects.
“Not so long ago they arrested crime suspects near the Pitso Ground and even rushed a shooting victim to hospital,” Supt Molefe said.