…as Maseru magistrate sentences woman to three years in jail
Hopolang Mokhopi
MASERU Magistrate Puseletso McPherson has ruled that vulnerability is not an invitation to commit crime.
She made the remarks while sentencing ‘Mamaboka Likalolo, 40, of Ha Mofoka, to six years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, with three years suspended for two years on condition that she is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period.
Likalolo, who was convicted and sentenced this past week, will therefore serve three years in prison.
This follows her plea of guilty to fraud, after she falsely claimed that a registered dependent of a village burial scheme had died in order to obtain funeral benefits.
According to the charge sheet, on 30 June 2026, at Ha Mofoka in Maseru, Likalolo, who was a member of a village burial scheme, falsely represented to members that her dependent, Mannyali Ranyali, had died and was therefore entitled to funeral benefits.
As a result, the scheme gave her groceries worth M10,000 and M2000 for transport, causing the group a loss of M12,000.
The Crown tendered a mortuary letter in court as part of its evidence. Ranyali, whom Likalolo had claimed was deceased, died three days after fraud charges had been laid against her on 13 August 2026.
The Crown established that Likalolo knowingly made a false representation to the funeral scheme and obtained the M12,000 as a direct result of the fraudulent claim.
Mitigation
In mitigation, Likalolo expressed remorse and asked the court for leniency, citing financial difficulties.
“I am a caregiver to an orphan who is sick. The child’s mother died,” she told the court.
She said she had approached the Department of Social Development for assistance with the child, who she said suffers from seizures and has bone problems requiring monthly medical check-ups.
“I don’t work. That is why I lied. May the court have mercy on me,” she pleaded.
Likalolo said she survived through odd jobs and had resorted to the fraudulent claim because of her financial circumstances.
State’s plea
Prosecutor Advocate Tšenoli urged the court to impose a custodial sentence that would send a strong message that fraud is a serious offence.
“Her having financial problems is not an excuse to commit a crime. She had avenues to take if faced with financial challenges,” Adv Tšenoli said.
She further argued that Likalolo was not related to Ranyali and did not even know her.
“She lied from the first time she insured her because she knew the groceries were not going to go to her,” Adv Tšenoli said.
Ruling
Delivering judgment yesterday, Magistrate McPherson said Likalolo’s timely guilty plea had saved the court’s time and noted that she appeared remorseful.
“The accused made a timeous plea of guilty and thus did not waste the court’s time. She says she is sorry and seems remorseful for what she did,” Magistrate McPherson said.
She agreed with the prosecution that the court needed to deter crime, therefore sentenced Likalolo to six years’ imprisonment, suspending three years for two years on condition that she is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period.
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