Dispute over corn kernels (Likhobe) which erupted between initiates at Khotla
(initiation place) at Ha Potsane on Sunday is reported to have led to the death of
one Kelly Manosa.
This has been confirmed by Chief Mahlomola Manosa a younger brother to the
deceased father in an interview with the Agency by explaining that initiates were
gathering at the place in question around 5:00pm and a basin full of corn kernels
was brought for them to eat, then one stood before others and argued that those
should only be eaten by initiates from Ha Potsane and not from Ha Ts'epo.
Chief Manosa further indicated that one initiate from Ha Ts'epo pretended to hit
that man with a stick, when one initiate from the crowd threw a stone randomly
hitting the deceased behind the ear and he fainted. He was rushed to hospital but
doctors confirmed to those who brought him that he was already dead before
arriving at the hospital.
He indicated that the deceased was killed by a stray stone, aimed at an initiate
who was trying to stop others from eating, noting the suspect and the deceased
are close friends, which makes the whole incident distressing. The incident has
been confirmed by an Officer Commanding Mohale's Hoek Police Station Senior
Superintendent Mapesela Klass, by asserting that investigations are still ongoing,
however expressed his concern regarding such terrible incidents which often
occur around initiation season.