(MENAFN- The Post) MASERU -RELATIVES of a councillor found murdered in his home are demanding justice as the country grapples with an increase in the killings of councillors and chiefs over community disputes.
Had it not been for his livestock wandering without a shepherd, neighbours would not have known that Pusetso Shale lay dead in his home.
The 54-year-old councillor for Manonyane had last been seen alive on Saturday morning and when neighbours saw his livestock roaming without him on Sunday and then again on Monday, they knew something was wrong.
They decided to search for him.
Shale's brother, Fusi, told thepost that the neighbours noticed that there were bullet shells on the floor near his door.
'One of the neighbours broke the door and when he entered there was my brother's body lying in a pool of blood,' Fusi said.
Shale, a married father of two children, was living alone in his house in Tloutle Ha-Shale at the time.
The family wants 'nothing but justice for our brother who leaves behind two sons and a wife,' said Fusi.
'My younger brother was never a person who liked to fight or involve himself in conflicts,' said Fusi, adding: 'We were surprised by the murder'.
Shale's murder is one of 24 killings of f local councillors and chiefs in the past three years, figures that have alarmed authorities.
Local Government Minister, Sam Rapapa, has called for the government to work hand-in-hand with the community to find a solution.
Rapapa told parliament on Tuesday that Lesotho is slowly moving towards being a lawless country where community leaders are killed over 'minor' issues such as boundary disputes.
He said 10 councillors either been have stabbed or shot dead since 2017, while 14 chiefs were also killed by unknown perpetrators.
The minister mentioned the Kanana councillor in Berea, Katiso Rapholo, who the police say was shot dead while travelling in his car from his shop at around 8pm in September last year.
Then, Berea MP and now Health Minister Motlatsi Maqelepo, hinted that Rapholo who was also a member of the Berea District Football Association, 'probably had enemies…not in politics'.
The minister also mentioned Katiso Molemane from Berea, Marianna Senohe of Mohale's Hoek Urban Council who was stabbed to death and Semakaleng Nkonyana of Senqunyane, who was ambushed on his way to the council offices and killed.
Rapapa also recalled the case of Tapota Wetsi of Nqoe who was stabbed to death.
He said conflicts between councillors and community members were rampant.
'Despite the ministry's efforts to teach the nation about the work of the councillors some people still do not understand,' he said.
He said since 2017, 10 of the councillors were killed by members of their own community because of disputes over development projects such as the preservation of pastures.
Rapapa also expressed shock that chiefs were being killed despite their important role of keeping good care of villagers and local assets under the provisions of the Chieftainship Act of 1968.
'The chiefs do their job under threats and killings,' he said.
Nkheli Liphoto
MENAFN01122020000229011070ID1101216780
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.