Killer gets 20 years — or pays M15 000

**Leribe Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Culpable Homicide, May Avoid Prison by Paying Fine**

*Lesotho Times – 31 August 2026*

A court in Leribe has sentenced Masupha Katse to 20 years’ imprisonment for the death of Mane Mothatjaneng during a dispute over food at a village celebration in August 2019. Acting High Court Judge Manapo Motebele also ordered Katse to pay a fine of M15 000, which, if paid, will allow him to avoid serving the prison term, and to compensate the victim’s family with M30 000.

**Background of the incident**

The altercation occurred on 3 August 2019 at a community gathering in Ha Seetsa, Malaoaneng, where several sheep had been slaughtered and villagers were sharing traditional beer and meat. According to prosecution witness Moitseki Sepono, Katse and another man arrived from the neighbouring village of Ha Chachole, where an initiation ceremony was taking place, and requested meat. After being served a bowl of mutton, Katse allegedly remarked that “only dogs eat meat without papa,” demanding that the staple food be served with the meat.

Sepono testified that Katse struck his hand with a nylon stick while attempting to take food from the visitors, prompting Mothatjaneng to intervene. The confrontation escalated, and the Crown alleges that Katse struck Mothatjaneng on the forehead with a stick, causing a severe head injury that led to the victim’s death the following day.

**Court findings**

The Crown presented circumstantial evidence and statements that Katse allegedly made to two witnesses, as none of the five Crown witnesses directly observed the fatal blow. Post‑mortem examination confirmed a severe head injury as the cause of death. Katse denied striking Mothatjaneng on the head, claiming instead that he had hit the victim’s chest in self‑defence, believing the latter was reaching for a concealed knife. He also highlighted the victim’s prior history of violent incidents, including a previous sword attack that required surgery.

Judge Motebele rejected Katse’s self‑defence claim, finding that the Crown had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Katse did not act in self‑defence. However, the judge concluded that Katse acted “in the heat of passion caused by sudden provocation” and therefore convicted him of culpable homicide rather than murder.

**Sentencing**

Judge Motebele sentenced Katse to 20 years’ imprisonment, with the alternative of paying a M15 000 fine to avoid incarceration. In addition, Katse was ordered to pay M30 000 in compensation to Mothatjaneng’s family. The judge emphasized the need to balance restorative justice with the seriousness of taking a human life, stating that a wholly suspended sentence would not reflect “the gravity of the offence, the value which the law places upon the protection of human life and the need for the sentence to serve the purposes of deterrence and retribution.”

**Legal representation**

Katse was represented by Advocate Mahlehle, who argued that the victim’s prior head injury and alleged violent reputation should create reasonable doubt about the cause of death. The court, however, found the Crown’s evidence sufficient to sustain the conviction.

The case underscores the Lesotho judiciary’s approach to violent offences, combining punitive measures with restorative components aimed at addressing the impact on victims’ families.

Article and image source: lestimes.com