Maseru, Mar. 09 — Following last year’s release on bail of Brigadier Rapele Mphaki and Lance Corporal Maribe Nathane, some of the accused charged with attempted murder of Former Editor of the Lesotho Times and Sunday Express newspapers, Lloyd Mutungamiri, another accused Nyatso Tsoeunyane was on Monday released on bail.
Just like his co-accused, the petitioner was directed to pay M2,000.00 bail deposit and secure surety amounting to M10,000.00. He was ordered to surrender his traveling documents to the Clerk of court. He was also directed to report himself to the Central Charge Office after every two weeks.
The bail applications by the accused were motivated by delay of the prosecution of the case against them. They argued that there is uncertainty regarding continuation of the case due to suspension of the presiding magistrate.
Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Murenzi was suspended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following allegations of misconduct and it directed that the files which were before him be locked, as a result, cases such as this one which were before him, have not been proceeding.
Mphaki, Nathane and Tsoeunyane are charged together with Khutlang Mochesane for contravention of section 22(1) read with 109 of Penal Code Act No.6 of 2010.
It is alleged that on July 09 2016 at or near Ha Thamae in Maseru, acting in concert or common purpose, they shot Mutungamiri and inflicted serious injuries on him.
Ends/SM/tl
