Man fined M2000 over ‘Hennessy’ rage

A 40-year old Maseru man from Ha Leqele has been fined M2000 for assaulting another man with empty beer bottles over a M200 debt for a ‘Hennessy’ cognac bottle.

The 28-year old victim sustained head injuries requiring stitches.

The case was presided over by Matala Local Court President Mathuntsi Ntsala and prosecuted by Qhobosheane Maqoacha on Tuesday this week.

Makhobalo Mohale was accused of badly assaulting Polaki Mokulubete and causing him injury.

Mohale pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutor Maqoacha called Polaki Mokulubete as the first prosecution witness. Mokulubete testified that he knows Mohale, as they live in the same village.

He stated that on May 17, 2025, he passed Mohale’s bar carrying two sealed bottles of Hennessy cognac. Mohale called him over, inquired about the price, and Mokulubete informed him it was M300 per bottle. Mohale then asked for one bottle, to which Mokulubete agreed. Mohale paid M100 and instructed Mokulubete to collect the remaining balance later.

Mokulubete returned later and was told to wait, until his impatience grew. He re-entered Mohale’s bar to demand the M200 balance again.

Mohale however, was unwilling to discuss the matter. Mokulubete then approached the bar counter to lower the radio volume, which Mohale did not take well. He began hitting Mokulubete with the empty beer bottles he was holding, striking him on the head and forehead.

Upon realising he was injured, Mokulubete called a friend to inform his parents. He then proceeded to Lithabaneng police station to open a case against Mohale. He was given a medical form and went to Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital where his injuries were stitched.

Mokulubete told the court that after leaving home for work some days later out of town, he heard Mohale had visited his place to ask for forgiveness.

The medical form was presented in court as Exhibit A.

The second prosecution witness Tšepo Moqhibi testified to knowing Mohale, who rented a room at his house.

Moqhibi stated that on the day of the incident, he arrived at 6am and found Mokulubete asking for his money from Mohale, who promised to pay when the bar closed.

The witness recalled Mokulubete going to the counter and slapping Mohale, leading to an initial scuffle that was broken up. But after a while, they fought again, with Mohale assaulting Mokulubete with a beer bottle.

Mohale told the court that Mokulubete passed his workplace selling Hennessy, and he called him over to discuss buying a bottle. He confirmed Mokulubete’s price of M300 per bottle and his offer of M100, with the remaining balance to be paid later.

Mohale claimed that when Mokulubete returned later that day, he switched off the radio and slapped him. This angered him and he struck Mokulubete with a beer bottle.

He also admitted to going to Mokulubete’s place days after the incident to apologise. He was told Mokulubete’s father was unavailable and to leave his number.

Mohale stated he called later while he was at a funeral and told Mokulubete’s father he would come later, which angered him. The father then told him not to come, Mohale submitted.

This frightened him and prevented him from returning, Mohale said, before apologising for his actions.

Prosecutor Maqoacha urged the court to find Mohale guilty, citing his initial not-guilty plea contradicted by his testimony and apology, which indicated admission of guilt.

He noted that Mohale did not question the witnesses’ testimonies, implying agreement.

Maqoacha suggested Mohale’s testimony might be unreliable due to his intoxication during the incident and requested a heavy judgment.

In mitigation, Mohale pleaded for a lenient judgment. He expressed a desire to pay for all damages incurred by Mokulubete and settle the remaining debt.

He also stated that he is the sole provider for his parents and supports two children’s education.

Court president Ntsala found Mohale guilty and ordered him to pay a fine of M2000 or face two years’ imprisonment. He managed to pay the fine.