THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO COMBINED SECOND TO EIGHTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN
CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS AND INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE
AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA
331. Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act allows for the court to proceed with any trial
involving sexual offences in camera or closed court. More often the evidence likely to be
given in these trials would be highly disparaging and even malignant to the dignity and
character of women involved therein. The Act further provides that the court may make
an order to disallow publication of the information if the proceedings were held in
camera.64
Administrative measures
332. Because of the health risks faced by prostitutes, the Ministry of Health in partnership with
the Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) have a mobile clinic through which
sexual and reproductive health services and other primary health services are provided in
a private manner and in areas which are easily accessible by prostitutes. Services in these
mobile clinics are provided from Monday to Saturday, from 6:00pm to 11:00 pm as these
are the times during which sex workers are available in the streets.
Judicial measures
Table B4: Sexual offences cases
Case
R
Facts
v
Tsotleho
Judgement & Sentence
Thulo The accused was charged Sentenced
CRI/S/04/2013
and convicted before the imprisonment.
Magistrate Court on 10 May
2013
section
with
8(1)
contravening
read
with
section 2(d)(i) and 32(a)(vii)
of Sexual Offences Act in
64
Section 25 of the Sexual Offences Act
119
to
25year