MASERU — The Commissioner of Police (COMPOL) Advocate Borotho Matsoso will be forced to get his house in order as on February 09 2026 he will come face to face with seven investigation officers after exhibits disappeared in their custody.
The High Court through Justice Ts’eliso Mokoko has on Wednesday issued an order directing that the COMPOL appears before the court with the investigation officers in a case of the murder of Ralikonelo Joki, also known as ‘Leqhashasha’, Mothibe Mothibe and Thomello Ntsane to explain the disappearance of three firearms which were presented as exhibits in this case.
The court had earlier stated that it has to witness the destruction of the exhibits as it has learned about a challenge with management of exhibits within the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and that exhibits in the form of firearms are either sold or rented to criminals after the courts have issued disposal orders upon completion of trials. The court also directed that the three firearms be presented before court today during sentencing before the disposal order is made. It however learned this morning that the exhibits are not available.
When questioned about the exhibits, Retired Detective Sub-Inspector Kubutu stated that he told Police Officer Nthako who is dispatched at the High Court to give the exhibits to Detective Police Constable Shale as he was still serving adding that as he was already on pension he was unable to keep the exhibits.
Detective Police Constable Shale however denied being present when Officer Kubutu said the exhibits should be given to him.
Police Officer Nthako insisted that he gave the exhibits to Detective Sub-Inspector Kubutu for safekeeping after he was directed by the court as the High Court does not have the capacity to store exhibits. . .
Ends/SM/ml
