…for fatally stabbing fellow inmate 78 times
Hopolang Mokhopi
THE latest charge against inmate Moeketsi Sefafe portrays him as a serial killer who should be permanently confined to solitary confinement.
Sefafe, alias Mali-a-Konyana (the lamb’s blood), is a 27-year-old from Mapoteng, Berea. He appeared before the Maseru Magistrates’ Court this past week, accused of fatally stabbing fellow inmate, Semi Thahe, 78 times.
He appeared before Resident Magistrate Peete Molapo who slapped him with a murder charge.
According to the chargesheet read by Magistrate Molapo, Sefafe allegedly stabbed Thahe multiple times inside his cell at Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) on 21 January 2025.
“The accused did unlawfully and intentionally cause the death of one Semi Thahe. To wit: by stabbing him with a pair of scissors four times on the stomach, 48 times on the chest, six times on the left shoulder, three times on the neck, once on the left palm, seven times on the left hand, eight times on the left arm, and once on the right finger. As a result, causing the death of one Semi Thahe.”
Magistrate Molapo asked Sefafe whether he understood the charges, to which he responded in the affirmative.
The magistrate further informed him of his right to apply for bail before the High Court, which has jurisdiction over murder cases, as magistrates’ courts only serve as remanding courts. He also advised him of his right to legal representation.
“I do not have the financial muscle to pay a lawyer,” Sefafe told the court.
Magistrate Molapo, however, explained that bail applications require legal representation due to the complexity of the processes.
“For you to apply for bail, there are some papers that need to be filled out, which are beyond your understanding. Therefore, you have to find a lawyer,” he said.
Sefafe was remanded back in custody and ordered to reappear before the court on 4 March 2025 for a routine remand.
Before this latest incident, Sefafe had already been in remand custody since 2020, facing two counts of murder. He was initially arrested for murdering his father after the latter reprimanded him for killing the family cow and drinking its blood.
While in custody in Berea for his father’s murder, he killed another inmate, leading to his transfer to the maximum-security wing in Maseru.
Initially detained in a single cell in Block C, he was moved to maximum security in December 2023 to accommodate inmates recaptured after a prison escape that month.
The officer in charge of MCCI, Senior Inspector Martin ‘Molaoa, had after the 21 January incident reassured the public that inmates were safe following the incident. He stated that Sefafe had been isolated again and was undergoing psychiatric evaluation, though he had previously shown no signs of violent behaviour.
Meanwhile, Thapelo Khalane (27) of Khubelu Ha Abia also appeared before Magistrate Molapo for threatening a police officer.
According to the chargesheet, Khalane chased Police Constable No. 71613 Mphatse while shouting: “Ke tla u hlaba ka thipa ebile khale ke tsoaroa, ha ke ts’abe ho tsoaroa.”
(I will stab you with a knife. I have been arrested multiple times, and I am not afraid of being arrested.)
He was granted bail of M1000, which he paid, and was remanded to 4 March 2025 for trial proceedings.
Monyane Hanyane was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment or an M10,000 fine for stabbing Pheko Ntulo above the right eye on 7 October 2023. Magistrate Tlohang Mohanoe suspended half of the sentence for two years.
Molati Sebete received eight years’ imprisonment or an M10,000 fine for stabbing his brother, Tumelo Sebete, in the back on 25 December 2024. Half of his sentence was also suspended for two years.
Relebohile Thaane was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment or an M8000 fine for assaulting Matsobane Ramokhotha with a fighting stick on 29 December 2023.