Maseru, Feb.04—-The High Court has on Wednesday heard that Tebello Kelane who was allegedly shot and killed by Sello Mabothile in 2020, pulled out his firearm before the accused could pull out his, following an argument between them.
In his evidence, Lehlohonolo Lesala, the first state witness in the trial against Mabothile, testified that the accused had come to a place where members of an association were together, looking for the deceased. He said there was confrontation between them which he witnessed together with Thabiso Mpeoa.
He told the court that following the exchange of words, the deceased slapped the accused on the face. He stated that after that, the accused moved his hand towards his waist and the deceased immediately pulled out his gun before the accused could pull out his own.
The witness testified that while pointing his gun at the accused, the deceased explained to Mpeoa that the accused had been looking for him all over, claiming that he had an affair with his wife. He added that the deceased said there were people who tried to intervene and reconcile them, but the accused seemed not to understand.
” As he was talking, the accused slapped the hand of the deceased, which was holding the gun, then pulled out his own firearm and shot him twice”, he said.
He added that the deceased fell on the ground from the shooting further adding that the accused went around the deceased while continuing to shoot him about four or five times until his gun ran out of bullets. He indicated that the accused took the firearm belonging to the deceased, which had fallen three paces away from him when he was gunned down, then used it to further shoot him two to three times.
The witness further informed the court that when the accused left the premises, he had his firearm and that belonging to the deceased in his possession. He said the firearm belonging to the deceased was however found by a security guard dumped outside the premises.
The accused is represented by Advocate Motiea Teele (KC) while the prosecution is represented by Adv. Tsebiso Fuma.
The case continues before Justice ‘Mabats’oeneng Hlaele.
Ends/SM/BM
