’Marafaele Mohloboli
AS if being removed from the influential post of police spokesperson wasn’t enough, Superintendent Clifford Molefe has had to contend with being rejected by the community in the Mohale’s Hoek district to which he was deployed last month.
The community has accused Supt Molefe of being arrogant and “overly protective” of the previous seven-party government in his role as police spokesperson.
For his part, Supt Molefe refused to comment on the matter when contacted by the Sunday Express, referring this reporter to his successor, Inspector Mpiti Mopeli.
“I am not in a position to respond. I would rather have you talk to the police spokesperson as he is better placed,” Supt Molefe said.
Insp Mopeli yesterday confirmed that the Mohale’s Hoek community had lodged a complaint on the deployment of Supt Molefe in the district.
“We received news that the Mohale’s Hoek community sent a delegation of about eight people to the Mohale’s Hoek Police station saying they don’t want Supt Molefe in their district as he did not cooperate with them when he was police spokesperson in the previous regime,” said Insp Mopeli.
The Pakalitha Mosisili-led seven-party former government was ousted after failing to muster the 61 requisite seats to form government following the 3 June 2017 National Assembly elections.
They could only muster 47 seats, with a four-party alliance led by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane cobbling together their 63 seats to attain power.
Insp Mopeli indicated that the community’s complaint was taken up by the Mohale’s Hoek station commander who relayed it to Acting Commissioner Holomo Molibeli.
“The commissioner then requested for the community representatives to come to his office so that he could hear them out; of which they did,” he said.
“We are currently doing everything in our power to address the issue. We are also going to make sure that he (Supt Molefe) is not in any danger since he was deployed there. In any case, every citizen deserves such protection.”
Insp Mopeli said this was not the first incident of a police officer being rejected by a community or his subordinates but it was still “unusual”.
Sources privy to the matter accused Supt Molefe of being uncooperative and doing the previous government’s bidding.
“He was always angry and over protective of the previous regime and we don’t want him here as we feel he will not serve us well as the second most senior officer at the Mohale’s Hoek police station,” said the source.
“When we were told of his arrival and asked to welcome him as one of our own, we found it very difficult because we knew very well what he had done in the past.
“One of us even stood up after being directed to give some welcome remarks and said he could not do so as Molefe’s conduct pained them when he was still the police spokesperson.”
Comments are closed.