By ‘Majirata Latela
The ministry of home affairs is highly irked by the rampant killings linked to the Famo music artists, it has emerged.
Now, officials from the ministry have begun holding public gatherings to source public opinion about possible measures to bring to an end the rampant killings allegedly linked to the Famo music.
The ministry has obviously observed that the killings have led to the displacement of people as they flee their places of origin to take refuge in other villages.
The ministry has said its findings have proved that some people are leaving their dwellings in fear of their lives after attacks were unleashed in their homes. Those leaving their homes are forced to seek asylum in other places.
As a measure to curb on the incidents, the ministry is seeking opinion from the public to suggest ways and measures to be taken.
The ministry’s officials are now doing the rounds to educate the public about the internal displacement.
According to the United Nations guiding principles on internal displacement, internally displaced persons are persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalised violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognised state border.
During a public gathering at ‘Masemousu in Mafeteng district on Monday this week, the minister of home affairs, Motlalentoa Letsosa, observed that people were not living in peace as they continue to kill one another.
“We are here because we are seeking solutions from you as the community. We believe it is best if we get your views regarding the killings. We want to hear from you what you think can bring peace amongst yourselves.
“We want you to pinpoint what you believe can be the best solutions that will help you build peace. We want to hear from you what you want us to do to help you stop being enemies to each other. We want to bring an end to the killings,” Letsosa emphasised.
“After hearing from you my ministry will come back and inform you about the decisions made. We have a little funding we have asked from the African Union to embark in this project. With that money we will consider which projects the ministry can finance from the budget allocated to it,” Letsosa said.
A community member, Retšelisitsoe Mpopo was seriously worried that the incidents of killings were spiralling. He said their hopes which were pinned on the police for safety were fading. He expressed reluctance to report committed crimes to the police.
“We have a problem of reporting to the police because they have turned out to be bed mates with criminals. The police work hand in glove with the law breakers. I think the law should take its course on criminals.
“The law is not enforced here in Lesotho. People pay monies to be freed although they have been involved in criminal activities. They are freed on bail,” he remarked.
“It is very sad to see someone who is a murder suspect roaming around after paying bail of M500 while the grieving family has spent lots of expenses for the burial of the deceased,” Mpopo said amidst admiration by the villagers.
Another villager, Thabo Ntsane also lambasted at granting of bail to suspects. He said his son’s murder suspect was seen roaming the streets. That, he confessed, made him sick every time he saw the suspect.
He bitterly suggested that the ministry should review the law allowing for granting of bail to those implicated in murder cases.
“Even if the money goes into the government funds, we plead that it should not be at the expense of the lives of our children. Bail in murder cases is like pouring paraffin on fire.
Another community member, Seabata Moloi, regretted that the government was putting in place several promises. He explained failure for the law to take its course triggered revenge as the suspects are not arrested.
Moloi strongly called for police visibility saying the practice would enable potential criminals to abide by the rule of law.
“We also need the government to help us resolve issues relating to area boundaries and pastures. These issues are some of the causes that lead to disputes and conflicts that result in deaths. The government is vested with responsibility to resolve the conflicts,” he urged.
The minister of police and public safety, Lepota Sekola, has recently said the ministry was worried over the crimes such as murder, rape and butlery. The ministry, he observed, was aware that there were people who have gone all out to plan criminal activities.
“As the minister of police and public safety, I abhor these crimes and unlawful acts. I advise the criminals to desist from their acts failing which they will face the might of the law. I also urge them to report to the nearby police stations and surrender their illegal firearms.
“I am also appealing to the violent groups to stop what they call their customs at funerals where they run carrying coffins on their shoulders and beat the caskets with fighting sticks,” he warned, noting that the incidents usually end with committing crimes.
He added that the police have found out that the perpetrators live in South Africa but only come in the country to commit the crimes. He noted that some police officers were also involved in criminal activities, urging them to refrain from adverse behaviour.
