Maseru mother and daughter murdered; relative arrested
A memorial service heard tributes to Hlompho and Liteboho Matsoso, who were allegedly killed by a 23-year-old relative.
Hlompho Matsoso, 66, a retired Deputy Accountant General, and her daughter Liteboho, 27, an Assistant Lecturer at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, were found murdered inside their Thetsane West home last week. Tlotliso Mohapeloa, 23, a relative whom Hlompho had reportedly been assisting financially, has been arrested and is alleged to have carried out the killings. Police investigations are continuing.
At a memorial service in Maseru on Wednesday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Thabang Lekhela urged the public to remember the two for the lives they lived rather than the circumstances of their deaths. Family caregiver Mofihli Matsoso described the scene as horrific, saying the house had been forcibly entered and the victims attacked with a garden rake, a flower vase and a knife. Hlompho sustained 17 stab wounds to the head and Liteboho was stabbed 16 times, and Mr Matsoso alleged Hlompho's body had also been scalded with hot water.
Former Accountant General Likhapha 'Malehlohonolo Mahase recalled the close bond between mother and daughter, saying Hlompho had sometimes missed work to care for Liteboho by phone while she studied in China. Hlompho was posted to China as Third Secretary from 2000 to 2008.
Why it mattersPolice are holding one suspect, and investigations into the killings of the two women are still open.