Mohale FM Justice Palesa Rantara of the High Court has sentenced Police Constable Letsie Posholi to 15 years in prison after convicting him of the 2022 murder of his wife, Rethabile Ts’olo, whom he shot.
According to court records, the incident occurred around April 15, 2022, when Posholi, a female relative named Lillo Posholi, and the deceased traveled from Maseru to Ha-Maphohloane for the Easter holidays. The trio visited a local bar, where they consumed alcohol together. In the early hours of April 16, Posholi left the establishment, leaving behind his wife and Lillo, who later also departed, leaving the deceased alone.
The court heard that upon returning to Ha-Maphohloane, Lillo informed Posholi that she had left his wife at the bar, alleging that she had been engaging in inappropriate behaviour with other men and smoking with them in the bar’s restrooms. While she was recounting this to him, the deceased arrived, heavily intoxicated and accompanied by a man who was aware of her marital status.
An argument ensued, during which Posholi demanded an explanation from his wife regarding her alleged conduct. In response, she reportedly insulted him, accusing him of failing to father children and declaring that she would associate with anyone she chose. It was at this point that Posholi drew his firearm and shot her.
Posholi was charged under Section 40(1) of the Penal Code Act of 2010. The prosecution was led by Crown Counsel Sehloho Mathe.
