Feuding neighbours fined for street brawl

Two Maseru men were on Tuesday this week fined a combined M3,000 for assaulting each other with a sharp object and fists. 

Thlokomelo Nthontho, 23, and Lesala Motlatsi, 26, were ordered to M2,000 and M1,000 respectively after pleading guilty to charges of assault.

The incident, which left Motlatsi with an injury near his eye, unfolded after a heated exchange between the two neighbours.

Matala Local Court

President Mathuntsi Ntsala presided over the case, with interns Vuyane Sehloho and Mosa Maphale prosecuting.

Maphale presented a case built on four prosecution witnesses: Thlokomelo Nthontho, Motlatsi Lesala, Seabata Lesala, and Mohapi Tsehla.

According to the prosecution, the dispute began on June 28, 2025, when Motlatsi encountered Nthontho’s younger brother and started beating him.

When Nthontho’s mother confronted Motlatsi, asking why he hadn’t informed her of the child’s wrongdoing and instead resorting to violence, he initially sought forgiveness.

However, as the mother continued to reprimand him, Motlatsi reportedly declared he would continue to beat the child. Nthontho overheard the escalating argument, and intervened with an insult.

Motlatsi then challenged Nthontho to come closer and upon began hitting him with fists.

Despite attempts by bystanders to separate the two, Motlatsi allegedly stated the fight wasn’t over, refusing to be “undermined by a 2000 child.”

Later, Nthontho was sent to a shop where he met Motlatsi’s younger brother, Seabata Lesala.

During their conversation about the earlier fight, Motlatsi arrived and kicked Nthontho.

In response, Nthontho produced a wooden stick, later presented in court as Exhibit A, and struck Motlatsi on the forehead. Seabata and Mohapi Tsehla again tried to stop the fight.

After they were eventually separated, Nthontho and Mohapi walked to another shop, but Motlatsi followed, throwing a stone at Nthontho.

Motlatsi subsequently reported the incident to Lithabaneng Police Station and was issued a medical form, later presented as Exhibit A in court, before seeking treatment at Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital.

Witnesses Seabata Lesala and Mohapi Tsehla were expected to testify about being present during the fight.

Both Nthontho and Motlatsi were given the opportunity to plead for a lenient judgment. Nthontho stated he was unemployed and his parents lacked financial means. Motlatsi, on the other hand, pleaded that he was married with a pregnant wife and that imprisonment would jeopardise his career.

Court President Ntsala stated that the case served as a lesson to the younger generation about respecting elders, regardless of biological relation.

She found both men guilty, noting Motlatsi’s persistence in instigating the fight.

Nthontho was fined M2,000 or two years in prison, while Motlatsi was fined M1,000 or one year behind bars. Both men paid their respective fines and escaped serving time.