‘Mantšali Phakoana
The Fobane area in Leribe district has in recent weeks become notorious for brutal murders associated with famo gangs, livestock theft, and kidnappings.
As a result, the area chief of Fobane, Joel Tumo Molapo, is concerned about the increasing crime cases in the area.
He won’t rest on his laurels and just expect the government to fight a long battle in addressing these stubborn challenges.
The traditional leader has offered his electrified four-room office to serve as a police post.
He believes providing law enforcement agencies with an office will go a long way to combat crime and enhance community safety in the area, which has about 34 villages under it.
Chief Molapo told theReporter in an interview this week that Fobane residents and their leaders were now living in fear following a tragic incident in which five people including an unborn baby were gunned down in their home last month.
He said in another incident last year, a local female high school student was kidnapped in the Matšekheng area. The kidnappers later dropped the girl and abandoned their vehicle at Fobane before they were arrested.
Chief Molapo also said there were notable increases in murder cases in Fobane during initiation periods.
He added that livestock theft was also a major concern as criminals use the area as a gateway to and from other villages.
Chief Molapo further indicated that Fobane villagers have resorted to using their own resources such as vehicles and money to bring in police officers from Peka station to prevent crime, especially killings, during initiation activities.
“Fobane is a broad area with 34 villages under my jurisdiction. The crime rates in this area are worrisome and the situation is made worse by the fact that there is no close police station. Residents get services from Peka and Maputsoe police stations. They are too far to control crime or even reach crime scenes on time.
“I believe the presence of police in the area will help curb crime. We have seen it happening. When police officers were around in the area during initiation periods, crimes rates decline,” Chief Molapo said.
He indicated that he had engaged some men from his area believed to be members of famo gangs but they denied their involvement in crime; they insisted they were only operating as illegal miners in South Africa.
He added that in the midst of these wars, innocence people die.
“For instant, the man whose family was killed is not a man of war. He is cooperative in matters that concern the community. It is still not clear why his family was killed,” Chief Molapo added.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Dr Mahlape Morai on Thursday last week held a gathering with the Fobane community to reassure them of their security. She also encouraged them to work jointly with the police and engage in community policing.
According to Morai, since last year, Leribe has recorded more murder cases followed by Berea district. As a result, she said, it has always been in the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS)’s schedule to host public gatherings.
“Fobane was already in our schedule under the North Region operation as we have realised that murder cases in Leribe have escalated since last year.
“Now following these deaths, we prioritised Fobane. We’re aware that the community needed to be reassured on their protection. We also believed that they were left in fear after the tragic incident therefore we wanted them to regain our trust and know that even after the incident, the police would still ensure their safety.
“The community there is now living in fear; they are even scared of vehicles passing by as they expect the worse to happen. I was telling Leribe Compol that police vehicles should move around the area often to keep the situation under control. This will help keep the community calm,” Dr Morai indicate.
Dr Morai further welcomed Chief Molapo’s offer saying it would strengthen policing and assist in fighting crime.
“We are aware of the offer and I welcome it because it will assist in fighting crime. It is a gift we cannot say no to because it is what is needed in that area.
“It might not be a police post as such, but a police satellite office doing temporary policing activities. It would be open immediately if it was not for preparations that needs to be done before then. We need office equipment and vehicles which were not budgeted for. However, if we can get any means of financing then it would not be a problem,” she added.
In an effort to curb rampant killings in the country, the minister of local government, chieftainship, home affairs and police, Lebona Lephema, recently published a gazette declaring famo groups unlawful by reason of being involved in or promoting or encouraging subversive activities.
The gazette titled: Internal Security (Declaration of Unlawful Organisation) Notice, 2024 was published on May 10.
The main opposition Democratic Congress (DC) proportional representation (PR) legislator, ‘Mabafokeng Mpobole, last Friday asked Lephema during a National Assembly session if his ministry would accept Chief Molapo’s offer.
In his response, the minister said the police would gladly welcome any assistance offered towards fighting crime.
Lephema further indicated that police will establish how many officers to deploy there as well as other resources needed to help them execute their duties.
