MINISTER of Police, Lepota Sekola has banned all blankets associated with famo music gangs after the recent killing of several people including a police officer over blankets colours in Mokhotlong.

Declaring war on famo music gangs on Friday in Molikaliko, Khubelu, the minister said such brutal acts will not be tolerated any further.

Mr Sekola was holding a public gathering in the area where he appealed to the communities to stop killing each other over blankets associated with famo music groups including “Terene”, “Seakhi” and “Khang-Kholo”.
The gathering was held a few days after the kidnapping and murder of a Mapholaneng police sergeant by suspected famo music gangsters.  

Mr Sekola warned the communities of Mokhotlong to immediately stop the brutal acts, banning all blankets associated with the famo groups in the district.
He promised that the police together with other state security organs will work hard to root out the conflicts caused by the issue of blankets and famo music in the Khubelu area.

He condemned the killing of Sergeant Qetelo Letšela, saying the law will act accordingly on the suspects.

He appealed to members of the public to provide police with information that will lead to the eradication of crimes related to the blankets gangs.

Speaking at the same event, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Phahla Letsoela, also condemned the killings, promising that police will work diligently to get to the bottom of the crimes.

Letsoela who is also the officer commanding police in the northern districts of Lesotho appealed to parents to ensure that their children do not join the famo gangs.

He further urged the members of the public to work hand in hand with the police to curb all criminal activities in Mokhotlong.

For his part, the Mokhotlong District Administrator, Serame Linake said it was worrying to see communities and Basotho at large being divided over the issue of blankets.

“Crimes associated with blankets colours should be addressed from the source,” he said.