Maseru, Feb.05—- After he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide for killing his 9-year-old nephew in 2019, Tseko Koetle of Lekokoaneng Ha Tau in Berea has been presented with an opportunity to restore relations with his family and community.
The High Court through Justice Ts’eliso Mokoko sought intervention from the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) with its Rehabilitation Office to facilitate restorative justice in order to ensure that the accused is not rejected or harmed, instead he is welcomed and well reintegrated when he goes back to his family and the community.
The step was taken following information that after his arrest in 2019, the accused waived his right to apply for bail as he got a tip off that his family was not happy with him for what he did and might kill him. There was further information that he could not even attend a funeral of his father who died while he was still in prison awaiting trial due to the broken relationship between him and his family.
When called before court on Thursday, the Acting LCS Commissioner Mr. Matingoe Phamotse undertook that they will do everything possible to ensure that the process is done although they are currently under-resourced. He however expressed his fears that a Rehabilitation Officer might get rejected when he goes to the family and the community to conduct research.
Evidence presented to the court has revealed that the accused who was at that time 20 years, hit the deceased thus causing his death, after he learned that he had lent someone a maize roasting pan.
He was initially charged with murder but reached a plea bargain with the prosecution hence he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and was accordingly convicted.
The court sentenced him to 8 years imprisonment, seven years of which were removed as he had been awaiting trial in jail since 2019. Consequently, the accused is expected to effectively serve one year in prison.
The Court has directed that a preliminary report should be submitted on or before May 11, 2026, and that the case be postponed to May 14 2026.
Ends/SM/BM
