Maseru, Feb.16—-Jeremane Sekhoola, a former police officer, has on Monday pleaded guilty to the murder of his ex-girlfriend Matsépang Moleleki which occurred at Berea on February 17 2025.
This was after his efforts to secure a plea bargain with the prosecution failed. His lawyer Advocate Christopher Lephuthing confirmed that adding that the accused’s plea is according to his instructions.
Adv. Thato Lepheana who is a prosecutor in this matter informed the court that they could not accept a plea to culpable homicide due to the evidence they have against the accused.
The prosecution led its first witness, Mr. Tau Mohapi who is the father of the deceased. He testified that on the day the deceased was killed, they had gone to the Berea Police Station for intervention. He stated that the deceased had told him that she was going to report the accused as he threatened her with death when she wanted to end their relationship, therefore he joined her.
He pointed out that after the accused was called by his superiors, accused and deceased were told to break-up, the accused stated that the deceased should return his properties including sneakers worth M800.00, two-burner stove and M300.00 cash which he had given to her.
The witness indicated that when he and his daughter (the deceased) left the police station, there was an agreement that she was going to bring the sneakers together with the stove as she did not have the M800.00. He told the court that he went to Teya-Teyaneng to run his errands while the deceased went to her place at Ha Nkalimeng.
He testified that when he later called the deceased, his calls went unanswered adding that the fourth call was picked by a police officer who said they were working. He said he then decided to go to the police station. He added that on his way he met a group of people and the police gathered around what he discovered to be the body of his daughter. He indicated that the police told him that she was killed by the accused who surrendered himself to the police.
The case could not proceed in November last year when it was scheduled for hearing as the then accused’s lawyer Advocate Katiso Nhlapo withdrew his services.
In motivating his withdrawal, the lawyer stated that during consultation with the accused, he discovered some information which rendered him conflicted. He pointed out that if he had that information before he was instructed, he could not have taken the brief.
The accused who at that time revealed that he planned to instruct Adv. Motiea Teele (KC) as his new legal representative was given time to secure a lawyer so the case could proceed this week.
The case is before Justice Ts’eliso Mokoko.
Ends/SM/BM
