Maseru,Feb. 21 — The High Court is on March 15, 2024 expected to continue to hear evidence in a trial within trial in a case in which some police officers are charged with the murder of Police Constable Mokalekale Khetheng.
The prosecution has in this case already completed its evidence. Among the defence witnesses who testified are the accused Mothibeli Mofolo, Haleokoe Taasoane and Mabitle Matona together with Mofolo’s nephew Mokete Motloli.
The evidence by the witnesses forms part of an attempt by the defence to prove that the accused in the matter were tortured during interrogations by the police.
The trial within trial is intended to establish admissibility of evidence presented by the prosecution against the accused. The defence challenged a testimony by one of the witnesses Inspector Rapelang Nkeane who stated that the accused voluntarily showed them a place where they dumped the body of the deceased.
Mofolo, Matona and Taasoane are charged together with Thabo Tsukulu. They are facing several charges comprising murder, perjury and defeating the ends of justice.
It is alleged that the deceased met his death in 2016 following his arrest by the Hlotse Police. The defence insist that the deceased disappeared from the police when he was to meet his superiors.
The accused were initially charged together with Minister Tseliso Mokhosi whose charges have been withdrawn. They were also charged with Former Commissioner of Police Molahlehi Letsoepa who reportedly fled the country.
The case is before Justice Charles Hungwe.
