News

The notorious Basotho maids

Published

2 years ago

October 12, 2021

MASERU – BONOLO Monakedi, popularly known by her TikTok username Mamaentle2, often attracts vile insults from social media users for her content disparaging Basotho domestic workers. But she is not moved, and views her content as a guide on how domestic workers should behave.
Monakedi is a South African woman who has documented a lot of Basotho women working as domestic workers, giving her followers the impression that many of the domestic workers are home wreckers, witches or thieves.

However, her rants against Basotho domestic workers and her labelling them as witches and husband snatchers seems to stem from her own personal experience with a nanny she later expelled.
She says many South African women who hired Lesotho citizens as maids have told her about their husbands ending up falling for the Basotho maids.
thepost has talked to Monakedi about the attacks on social media, her personal experience with Basotho maids and stories she heard from other South African women.

Monakedi created her Basotho maids content on her TikTok account in August where she claims they have sex with their employers’ husbands and destroy families using muti.
This did not only enrage Basotho housekeepers but also local Basotho who verbally attacked Monakedi for tarnishing their image.
“When I first commenced this movement, many people insulted me, especially on TikTok. I blocked some, but others came back and apologised and I still kept some of those messages,” Monakedi told thepost.
“I recall this lady who insulted me a lot but after mentioning this one on muti usage she responded saying her husband was seeing a Mosotho lady,” she said.

“Her husband physically abused and resented her. I told her how my then nanny used to control me, she finally connected the dots.”
Monakedi said even though Basotho housekeepers insulted her, it is through that anger that she finally understood “why they behave the way they do when they get in our homes”.
She said many Basotho women posting in the comments section were too confident of their beauty and sexual prowess, adding that they gloat “that they have pulled their labia-minoras and their sex is better than that of South African women”.

Her TikTok account has angered many domestic workers and other concerned Basotho who attacked her through inbox messages and other social media platforms.
“This has caught a lot of people’s concerns but most of the home owners and employees were on my side. Most voice their testimonies when I am live on TikTok because normally when I am live, I invite both the helpers and the employees.”
In her live discussions, Monakedi said she found that many Basotho maids view South African women as a lazy lot who behave like queens but fail to take care of their husbands.

Many said it becomes easy for them to lure husbands into love affairs because they offer care that South African women fail to provide.
She said she also found that Basotho domestic workers work for longer periods in white families than for black families “because they obey their white bosses and never complain about cleaning their bedrooms.”
“However, when it comes to their black bosses they bring the African cultural norms on how wives should treat their husbands.”
“This has long been there but we took it lightly. For instance, I am not an exception to this for I took this for granted since I am a Mosotho and have to stand by my kind, until it happened to me,” Monakedi said.

“Even after it occurred in my house, I was still nonchalant about it but then it hit me hard when I heard similar stories at my work place.
“At my work place there is a diversity of cultures and in my shift I am the only Mosotho. My colleagues, who are Bapedi, Batswana, Batsonga and others raised this issue and narrated their stories of how their Basotho helpers treat them in their own homes.”
She said some would approach her and tell her that she caught the helper bathing a child with muti.

Another colleague told Monakedi of a tale involving a Mosotho lady she knew from her residential compound.
“So this lady is not a stay-in helper, she works for different families on week days, and in all the local houses she works in during working hours, the men of all those houses come to her.”
One day Monakedi visited the same colleague and managed to have a word with the domestic worker to confront her about the alleged behavior.

“She just smiled and told me, that if someone asks her to come to her house to sweep, she will sweep everything including the husband because she came to South Africa to work not to be ill-treated by women who think they (domestic workers) do not deserve a good life like they do (madams)”.
“This was when I realised that indeed Basotho women are not hated in South Africa but have made their bed which they now have to lay on”.
She saw this as a hot issue and she decided to create a special series of TikTok posts about it.

“Not only did I hear the stories at work but my neighbours and friends also shed tears (when talking about) how Basotho housekeepers destroyed their families.”
She further claimed that some employment agencies shut down because they were struggling to find jobs for Basotho domestic workers.
“I was talking to one of the agents, and she told me that she had to close the agency because of complaints she received from employers and that no one wanted to work with Basotho maids anymore,” said Monakedi.

Monakedi was born and raised within the Khutlisi family and was married to Monakedi’s family in South Africa.
“I was born in South Africa. My father is a Mosotho from Ladybrand and my mother is a Zulu but they migrated to Lesotho in Khubetsoana Ntširele. I did my primary level in Lesotho but completed Standard Seven and higher educational levels in South Africa,” she said.
“Even though I live in South Africa, my life still revolves around Lesotho because my family is still in Lesotho.”

Monakedi said her aim was not to harm the reputation of Basotho women.
“But I felt a need to raise this issue before other women from other cultures raise it. It would be worse than it seems to at the moment if others raise it,” she argued.
She said her mother and other close relatives were domestic workers “hence I clearly understand the importance and value of housekeepers.”
“My aim is to raise awareness on the need for Basotho house maids to change.”
She said she used to hear some stories about “disgusting acts” committed by Basotho housemaids, but never took it seriously “until I became a victim.”

“When I was a teenage girl I would visit home during the December holidays. I used to travel in the same taxi as some housemaids and they would happily share stories of their toxic behaviour,” she said.
She said she took it for granted “until I reached the age where I needed to hire one”.
As a Mosotho woman, she felt a need to hire a fellow Mosotho woman thinking that they would understand each other better.
“Basotho women do house chores perfectly and most employers like them for that but their sickening behaviour overshadows the good things they do,” said Monakedi, claiming that her first nanny used muti to control the family.

She claimed she was not aware of it at first until her husband warned her about “some weird smell” coming from the maid’s room. “I defended her because I thought he just hated her due to the myths he heard about Basotho”.
“I realised it was true after we gave her the boot. She was controlling me in my own house and I would do as she demanded. She was imitating everything I did, including my diet,” said Monakedi.
Also she remembered having a maid she had good relations with.
“I worked harmoniously with her and I loved her, but when I went home for the holidays she stole the Christmas clothes I had bought for the children and she never came back.”

But she never forgets one woman from Lesotho who worked for her but had to return home due to a family emergency.
“She was one of the best housekeepers I have ever had. She opened my mind. She told me that these women mislead each other when they meet at agencies. They give each other tips on how to behave when they find jobs and even exchange the traditional medicines to use at work,” said Monakedi.

’Masentle Makara

News

Lawyer in trouble

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2023

The Post

A local lawyer, Advocate Molefi Makase, is in soup after he flew into a rage, insulting his wife and smashing her phone at a police station.

It was not possible to establish why Adv Makase was so mad at his wife. He is now expected to appear before the Tšifa-li-Mali Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, he was released from custody on free bail on condition that he attends remands.

Magistrate Mpotla Koaesa granted Advocate Makase bail after his lawyer, Advocate Kefuoe Machaile, pleaded that he had to appear for his clients in the Court of Appeal.

Advocate Makase is facing two charges of breaching peace and malicious damage to property.

According to the charge sheet, on October 5, 2023, within the precincts of the Leribe Police Station, Advocate Makase allegedly used obscene, threatening, or insulting language or behaviour, or acted with an intent to incite a breach of the peace.

The prosecution alleges that the lawyer shouted at his wife, ’Mamahao Makase, and damaged her Huawei Y5P cell phone “with an intention to cause harm” right at police station.

During his initial appearance before Magistrate Koaesa, Advocate Makase expressed remorse for his actions and sought the court’s leniency, pleading for bail due to an impending appearance in the Court of Appeal.

His lawyer, Advocate Machaile, informed the court that an arrangement had been made with the police to secure his release the following day, as he had spent a night in detention.

Advocate Machaile recounted his efforts to persuade the police to release him on the day of his arrest.

He noted that the police had assured them of his release the following day, which indeed came to fruition.

Following his release, he was instructed to present himself before the court, which he dutifully complied with.

Advocate Machaile underscored Advocate Makase’s standing as a recognised legal practitioner in the court.

Notably, he was scheduled to appear in the Court of Appeal but had to reschedule his commitment later in the day to accommodate his court appearance.

Advocate Machaile asserted that Advocate Makase presented no flight risk, as he resides in Hlotse with his family and has no motive to evade his legal obligations.

He respectfully petitioned the court for his release on bail, emphasising that he had demonstrated his ability to adhere to the court’s conditions.

The Crown Counsel, Advocate Taelo Sello, expressed no objection to the bail application, acknowledging that the accused had a forthcoming matter in the Court of Appeal.

Consequently, the court granted Advocate Makase bail without any financial conditions, with the stipulation that he must not tamper with state witnesses and must fully participate in the trial process until its conclusion.

’Malimpho Majoro

News

Trio in court for killing ‘witches’

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2023

The Post

THREE elderly women were all stabbed to death with a spear during a deadly night after they were accused of being witches.

Three suspects, all from Ha-Kholoko village in Roma, appeared in the High Court this week facing a charge of murder.
They are Jakobo Mofolo, Oele Poto, and Pakiso Lehoko.

They accused the elderly women of bewitching one of Poto’s relative who had died.

The stunning details of the murder was unravelled in court this week, thanks to Tlhaba Bochabela, 32, who is the crown witness.

Bochabela told High Court judge, Justice ’Mabatšoeneng Hlaele, last week that he had been invited to become part of the murder group but chickened out at the last minute.

Bochabela said in March 2020, he was invited by Rethabile Poto to come to his house in the evening.

He said when he went there, he found Mofolo, Poto, and Lehoko already at the house. There were two other men who he did not identify.

“I was told that the very same night we were going to do some task, we were going to kill some people,” Bochabela told Justice Hlaele.

He said he asked which people were going to be killed and was told that they were ’Malekhooa Maeka, ’Mathlokomelo Poto, ’Mampolokeng Masasa.

They said the three women had successfully bewitched Rethabile Poto’s uncle leading to his death.

Bochabela said after he was told of this plot, he agreed to implement it but requested that he be allowed to go to his house to fetch his weapon.

He said Lehoko was however suspicious that he was withdrawing from the plot and mockingly said “let this woman go and sleep, we can see that he is afraid and is running away”.

Bochabela said the only person he told the truth to, that he was indeed going to his home to sleep instead of going to murder the three elderly women was Mofolo who also told him that he was leaving too.

He said he told Mofolo that he felt uncomfortable with the murder plan.

Bochabela said he left and when he arrived at his place he told his wife all about the meeting and the plot to kill the women.

He said his wife commended him for his decision to pull out.

“I told my wife to lock the door and not respond to anyone that would come knocking looking for me,” Bochabela said.

He said later in the night, Rethabile Poto arrived at his place and called him out but they did not respond until he left.

Bochabela said in the morning they discovered that indeed the men had carried out their mission.

The village chief of Ha-Kholoko, Chief Thabang Lehoko, told Justice Hlaele that it was between 11 pm and 12 midnight when he received a phone call from one Pakiso Maseka who is a neighbour to one of the murdered women.

Chief Lehoko said Maseka told him to rush to ’Mampolokeng Masasa’s place to see what evil had been done to her.

“I rushed to Masasa’s place and on arrival I found Pakiso in the company of Moitheri Masasa,” Chief Lehoko said.

He said he found the old lady on the bed, naked with her legs spread wide.

“I was embarrassed by the sight of the old lady in that state, naked and covered in blood,” the chief said.

He said he went out and asked Maseka what had happened but Maseka referred him to Moitheri Masasa.

Chief Lehoko said Masasa told him that there were people with spears who had threatened to kill him if he came out of the house.

He said Maseka said he knew that Masasa’s neighbour, ’Malekhooa Maeka, was a light sleeper and she could have heard something.

The chief then sent one Patrick Lehoko to Maeka’s house to check if she had heard anything but Patrick came back saying Maeka was not at her house.

“I immediately stood up and went to ’Malekhooa’s place,” Chief Lehoko said.

He said when he arrived, he knocked at her door but there was no response so he kicked the door open, went in and called out ’Malekhooa Maeka by name.

Chief Lehoko said he then lit his phone and saw her lying in bed covered in blankets.

He said he then went closer to her and shook her but she was heavy.

Chief Lehoko said he tried to shake her again one last time while still calling her out but he touched blood.

He said he immediately left and went back to tell others that Maeka seemed to be dead too.

“I decided to go and buy airtime from the nearest shop which I had passed through near ’Matlhokomelo Poto’s home.”

He said on his way he met one Sebata Poto who asked him who he was.

Chief Lehoko said he only replied by telling him that the two women, Masasa and Maeka, had been murdered.

He said Sebata Poto told him that “’Matlhokomelo has been stabbed with a spear too”.

Chief Lehoko said he rushed to ’Matlhokomelo Poto’s house where he found her seated in the middle of the house supported by her children with blood oozing from her chest, gasping for air.

“I stepped out and went to get airtime, but I found her dead when I returned from the shop,” the chief said.

The case continues.

Tholoana Lesenya

News

Opposition fights back

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2023

The Post

THE opposition is launching a nasty fightback after Prime Minister Sam Matekane defanged their no-confidence motion by roping in new partners to firm up his government.

Matekane’s surprise deal with the Basotho Action Party (BAP) has trimmed the opposition’s support in parliament and thrown their motion into doubt.

But the opposition has now filed another motion that seeks to get Matekane and his MPs disqualified from parliament on account that they were elected when they had business interests with the government.

The motion is based on section 59 of the constitution which disqualifies a person from being sworn-in as an MP if they have “any such interest in any such government contract as may be so prescribed”.

Section 59 (6) describes a government contract as “any contract made with the Government of Lesotho or with a department of that Government or with an officer of that Government contracting as such”.

Prime Minister Matekane’s Matekane Group of Companies (MGC) has a history of winning road construction tenders. Other Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) MPs, most of whom were in business, had had business dealings with the government.

It is however not clear if the MPs were still doing business with the government at the time of their swearing-in.
Matekane’s MGC Park is housing the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which is a government institution established by the constitution, getting its funds from the consolidated funds.

The motion was brought by the Popular Front for Democracy (PFD) leader Lekhetho Rakuoane who is a key figure in the opposition’s bid to topple Matekane.

The motion appears to be a long shot but should be taken in the context of a political game that has become nasty.
Advocate Rakuoane said the IEC’s tenancy at the MGC is one of their targets.

“The IEC is one of the government departments,” Rakuoane said.

“It is currently unethical that it has hired the prime minister’s building.”

“But after the motion, he will have to cut ties with the IEC or he will be kicked out of parliament.”

The Democratic Congress (DC) leader, Mathibeli Mokhothu, said although the IEC is an independent body, it can still be regarded as part of the government because it gets its funding from the consolidated fund.

The Basotho Covenant Movement (BCM)’s Reverend Tšepo Lipholo, who seconded the motion, said the Matekane-led government “is dominated by tenderpreneurs who have been doing business with the government since a long time ago”.

“Now they have joined politics, they must not do business with the government,” Lipholo said.

He said some of the MPs in the ruling parties are still doing business with the government despite their promises before the election to stop doing that.

“Those who will not abide by the law should be disqualified as MPs,” Lipholo said.

“Basotho’s small businesses are collapsing day-by-day, yet people who are in power continue to take tenders for themselves.”

He applauded the Abia constituency MP Thuso Makhalanyane, who was recently expelled from Matekane’s RFP for rebellion because he withdrew his car from government engagement after he was sworn in as an MP.

“He set a good example by withdrawing his vehicle where it was hired by the government,” Lipholo said.

Rakuoane said during the past 30 years after Lesotho’s return to democratic rule, section 59 of the constitution has not been attended to even when it was clear that some MPs had business dealings with the government.

“This section stops you from entering parliament when doing business with the government. Those who are already members will have to leave,” he said.

Rakuoane said they are waiting for Speaker Tlohang Sekhamane to sign the motion so that the parliament business committee can set a date for its debate.

“The law will also serve to assist ordinary Basotho businesses as they will not compete with the executive,” he said.

“There are many Basotho businesses in business these MPs are in. They must get those tenders instead.”

The new motion comes barely a week after a court application aimed at disqualifying Mokhothu.

The government-sponsored application sought the Constitutional Court to declare Mokhothu unfit to be prime minister because he was convicted of fraud in 2007.

Mokhothu has been suggested as Matekane’s replacement should the motion of no confidence pass in parliament.

Nkheli Liphoto