Police Public Relations Officer Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli says, the rate at which crime is escalating in the country impacts negatively on the economy and welfare of Basotho.

Snr/Supt Mopeli said this during police weekly reports where he showed that a woman aged 21, Makatleho Makati appeared before the Mafeteng magistrate court where she was accused of hijacking vehicles. Makati is said to be awaiting trial still in custody at Lesotho Correctional Services.

Mopeli added that, a 54-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman from Botha-Bothe have also appeared before the magistrate court accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy and an 8-year-old-girl. The male suspect was given a bail of M1,500 and surety amounting to M2,000 while the woman was offered a bail of M500 but they both failed to pay and will remain in custody