STATEMENT TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE: CONCERN REGARDING HATE SPEECH, MISINFORMATION, AND INVESTIGATIVE INTEGRITY IN THE MURDER CASE OF KABELO SESELI
Date: 05 May 2025
To: Commissioner of Police
Subject: Urgent Need to Address Hate Speech and Ensure Factual Integrity in the Ongoing Investigation of Katleho Mosiuoa
The People’s Matrix Association expresses its deep concern over the handling and framing of the ongoing murder case involving Katleho Mosiuoa, charged with the brutal killing of Kabelo Seseli in Lithabaneng, Berea.
We are alarmed not only by the violent nature of this act — involving stabbing and genital mutilation — but also by the troubling and dangerous language used by law enforcement officers in court and in public statements.
1. Hate Speech by Police Officials
The public statement made by Inspector Lipuo Doli, in which he urged “banna ba iketsang banana” to “tell the truth” when approached by men, is deeply offensive and dangerous. This type of rhetoric constitutes hate speech, as it blames LGBTQI+ persons for their own victimization and reinforces harmful stereotypes. It contributes to a culture of stigma, violence, and discrimination, directly violating the constitutional rights of LGBTQI+ persons under Section 18 of the Constitution of Lesotho.
Police officers are bound to uphold the law and act with impartiality — not to publicly shame or incite prejudice against victims, especially when a case is still under investigation. Such speech may amount to institutional discrimination and victim-blaming, and it undermines public trust in the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS).
2. Inconsistencies and Omission of Key Facts
It has come to our attention that some statements made by investigating officers do not align with verified information:
• Kabelo Seseli was openly gay and lived his truth without hiding. His social media presence, particularly on Facebook, includes multiple photographs clearly showing him and the accused together. These images, alongside their digital communication trail, strongly indicate that the two had met on several occasions and had a continuing acquaintance or relationship prior to the night of the murder.
• These facts contradict the narrative that the accused was “deceived” into thinking he was meeting a woman. The pretense of ignorance cannot stand in the face of public, accessible evidence of prior contact, interaction, and possible romantic or personal engagement between the two.
This narrative, presented without critical scrutiny, raises concerns about bias in the investigation and the possibility of trying to frame a hate crime as an act of “emotional provocation” or misunderstanding.
3. Call for Immediate Action
In light of these concerns, we respectfully call upon your office to:
• Immediately censure and retract the hateful remarks made by Inspector Doli and ensure such statements are not repeated by any police personnel;
• Investigate and incorporate all available digital evidence (including social media correspondence) that contradicts the perpetrator’s version of events and support a more accurate understanding of motive;
• Acknowledge the likelihood of a hate crime and allow the court to deliberate on the full range of aggravating factors, including bias based on sexual orientation;
• Engage human rights institutions and civil society in building guidelines for the proper handling of cases involving LGBTQI+ persons to avoid revictimization and ensure due process.
The People’s Matrix Association remains committed to supporting justice, dignity, and non-discrimination in Lesotho. We urge your office to act in the spirit of constitutional responsibility and human rights.
Signed,
Tampose Mothopeng
Executive Director
The People’s Matrix Association