Maseru, May 26 —- Advocate Napo Mafaesa, one of the defence lawyers in an ongoing treason trial says facts in this matter were collected in a manner that they will support versions that the prosecution seeks to present before the Court.
This he said as the defence continued to cross-examine Sergeant Shaabe Thamae who is the 8th state witness in the matter.
The witness was at some stage of the cross-examination accused of being defensive by Adv. Mafaesa. This was while there were discussions on how investigations should be conducted when a bullet has been fired.
Adv. Mafaesa emphasised that it is important for the investigators to trace the bullet adding that when found, it must be presented to the court. The witness indicated that it happens that not all evidence is found during investihations adding that failure to find some evidence does not mean that a case has been poorely investigated.
The witness first took the stand in February 2025 but his cross-examination was held in abeyance due to his ill health. He returned to the stand in March 2026 when the case proceeded but could not finish.
In his evidence about the alleged August 2014 attack at the Police Headquarters by army members, Thamae testified that he was on duty at a radio room with the late Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko and another Police Officer Litulo. He narrated to the court how Ramahloko got shot and killed. He further testified about other events that took place on that day including when he was forced to take the body of the deceased to a mortuary.
The court is yet to hear further cross-examination of another state witness, Sergeant Kamoho Mahanetsa which was deferred following an application by the defence. The defence through Advocates Napo Mafaesa and Lepeli Molapo had requested deferment of the cross-examination so that they could secure a report from an expert. They indicated that the report will help them structure their defence and guide their line of questioning.
The accused in this matter comprise the leader of Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), also Former Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Mothetjoa Metsing, the leader of Movement for Economic Change (MEC) also current Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane,Former Army Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli and some army members Litekanyo Nyakane, Motloheloa Ntsane and Leutsoa Motsieloa.
They are facing various charges and their alternatives which include treason, murder, attempted murder, risk of injury or death and aggravated assault which they have pleaded not guilty to.
The charges which are against all the accused include murder of Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko and attempted murder of Letsekang Mothibeli together with its alternatives, aggravated assault against Sergent Mahanetse, Lance Sergeant Thabisa Kopa, Lance Sergeant Thamae, Police Constable Mokete Litulo and Police Constable Mone respectively.
The charges of treason, attempted murder of Police Constable Moeketsi and its alternatives (risk to injury or death and aggravated assault) together with assault of Sub-Inspector Joel are against Kamoli, Nyakane, Metsing and Mochoboroane only.
According to the charge sheet the alleged offences occurred on August 29-30 2014 and they were committed in furtherance of shared and common purpose by the accused together with the late Tefo Hashatsi and Bulane Sechele together with Tumo Lekhooa as well as persons unknown to the prosecution.
The defence is in this case represented by Advocates Motiea Teele (KC), Letuka Molati, Lepeli Molapo, Kabelo Letuka and Napo Mafaesa while the prosecution is represented by Advocates Motene Rafoneke and Rethabile Setlojoane.
The case is before Justice ‘Maliepollo Makhetha.
Ends/SM/tl
