Magistrate Nkhethoa Molapo has on Wednesday postponed the bail earing of Leleko Monyane, Tumelo Lechaea, Mafa Nkhabu who are charged with robbery with violence involving High Court Judge Justice Polo Banyane after he lawyer representing A1 indicated that he was not ready to proceed with he matter.
Magistrate Nkhethoa Molapo postponed the matter after Advocate Maphake Ramotsokoane, appearing for Monyane (A1), told the court that he was not ready to proceed with the matter as there was an outstanding matter relating to exceptional circumstances.
However, in his ruling, Magistrate Molapo had earlier noted that the accused had failed to satisfy the court on exceptional circumstances, stating that merely claiming citizenship and self-employment does not meet the legal requirement for bail in a robbery with violence case.
The magistrate further agreed with submissions made by the Crown, which argued that the evidence presented by the defence for Accused 1, was placed before the court from the bar without proof.
Considering the seriousness of the offence, Magistrate Molapo had granted the defence an opportunity to properly adjust and file evidence demonstrating exceptional circumstances that may warrant the accused release on bail.
The accused are alleged to have acted in concert on January 01, 2026, at the Arrival Centre in Maseru, where they allegedly threatened to use violence against Justice Polo Banyane by pulling a knife and attempting to stab her before stealing an iPhone 15 valued at M32,000.
Monyane, Lechaea and Nkhabu were remanded in custody, and the matter was postponed to January 21, 2026, for bail hearing.
ENDS/MAMAJ/BM
