The Government of Lesotho has pledged to support the family of Tsepo Maine of Ha Maine in Mafeteng following the deaths of his two young children in a case that has shocked the nation.
Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara delivered the government’s condolences at the family’s home on Thursday, announcing that government would take responsibility for the burial arrangements of the two children, aged two and four years.
Justice Majara expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family, saying they had suffered an unimaginable loss that would leave both emotional and psychological scars. Speaking also as a mother, she said she understood the pain of losing a child. 
She stressed the importance of counselling and psychological support for the family to help them cope with the trauma, and said the suspect in the case should undergo a mental health assessment, noting that such an act raises serious questions about the individual’s state of mind. She said a psychiatric evaluation could assist the court in understanding the suspect’s condition before judgment is passed.
Beyond words of comfort, Justice Majara pledged that government would assist the family with the construction of a house, indicating that the project could be undertaken through the Disaster Management Authority.
Gender, Youth and Social Development Minister Pitso Lesaoana, who was also present, said the tragedy would not easily be forgotten because of its nature. He said his ministry would provide counselling services to the family to help them deal with the loss.
Member of Parliament for Thaba-Phechela Constituency Mohau Hlalele said the Ha Maine community was deeply saddened by the incident, noting that many villagers were struggling to come to terms with what had happened but appreciated the government’s decision to visit and support the family during their time of mourning.
Speaking emotionally, the children’s father Tsepo Maine recounted the events leading up to the disappearance of his children, saying they went missing on 13 May 2026. He said he and his wife had travelled to town that day, leaving the children in the care of the suspect as they had done on previous occasions.
Maine explained that the suspect had been living with him because he was mentoring him in traditional healing practices. When he and his wife returned home, they asked the suspect about the whereabouts of the children but did not receive a satisfactory response.
Police investigations into the matter are continuing.
