43-Year-Old Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of a 5-Year-Old Child

A 43-year-old man, Thabang “Palama” Namane of Ha Mokauli, Morija, has been remanded in custody after appearing before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on the 29th of last month.

Detective Police Constable Remaketse Monethi from the Morija Child and Gender Protection Unit said police received a report that a five-year-old child had been sexually abused by the accused. She said investigations were immediately launched, leading to the arrest of the suspect on 23 December last year.

Detective Constable Monethi further stated that investigations revealed that a passer-by allegedly caught the accused on top of the child. When confronted, the passer-by intervened and assisted the child by removing the accused. The matter was then reported to the police, resulting in the suspect’s arrest.

The accused is expected to appear in court again on 12 January 2026.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Mohato Lerotholi has appealed to men to stop engaging in harmful acts of child abuse. He stressed that the responsibility of men is to protect and care for children, not to become their abusers.