Police Spokesperson Senior Inspector Clifford Molefe
Pascalinah Kabi
A 31-YEAR old woman from of Dili Dili, Quthing was slapped with a suspended two-year jail term for concealing the birth of her child earlier this month.
According to police spokesperson Superintendent Clifford Molefe, Thembisa Fofo was arrested on 8 September for concealing the birth of her child last month.
“According to evidence given in court, Thembisa Fofo gave birth on her way to a clinic in August and concealed the birth of her new-born,” Superintendent Molefe said.
“She appeared in court on 15 September facing charges of contravening Section 43 of the Penal Code 2010. The court slapped her with a two-year suspended sentence.”
He said the newborn’s corpse had not been found at the time of delivering the sentence.
Meanwhile, a Mokhotlong mother of three – Reekelitsoe Matie (22) – was remanded in custody for allegedly concealing the birth of her fourth child.
Superintendent Molefe said police reports state the woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl sometime this month and allegedly hid the new-born in a wardrobe.
“It is reported that soon after giving birth, she wrapped her daughter in a T-shirt and hid her in a wardrobe. The suspect told the police she was forced to conceal the birth of her fourth child because of the ill-treatment she allegedly received from her family members.”
He said Ms Matie would reappear in court on 27 September this year after she was remanded in custody during her first court appearance on 14 September.
“This woman has three living biological children yet she decided to kill the fourth one. Whether she was abused or not, her reasons don’t justify her actions of concealing the birth of her child. On top of that, this is not her first child,” said Superintendent Molefe.
He advised women to seek free pregnancy prevention services adding such actions tainted the good image of Basotho women.