MASERU, Aug. 05 — After they have carefully studied a judgment and had time to consult, the defence in the Mohale Dam murder trial will on August 28, 2026 inform the Court of their next step following conviction.
Lekhooa Moepi and Tieho Tikiso, both members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) have been found guilty of the murders of three men who were in May 2017 kidnapped, strangled to death and their remains dumped into the Mohale Dam where they were retrieved in September 2017.
They were initially charged together with 8 other army members, Rapele Mphaki, Pitso Ramoepana, Mahlehle Moeletsi, Mahlomola Makhoali, Nthatakane Motanyane, Motsoane Machae, Liphapang Sefako and Nemase Faso who were in August 2025 acquitted following their application for discharge.
The charges against them included murder, conspiracy to murder, incitement to murder, unlawful detention as well as conspiracy to commit unlawful detention and the victims were Lekhoele Noko, Khothatso Makibinyane and Molise Pakela. While the other 8 accused were acquitted, Moepi was partially discharged as he was found to have a case to answer in respect of one count of murder and unlawful detention which he was
accused to have committed against Noko. Tikiso too was acquitted of other charges and he was left faced with three counts of murder involving Noko, Makibinyane and Pakela.
What got Moepi into trouble was a confession he made before a magistrate about his participation in the kidnapping of Noko while Tikiso landed in trouble because he pointed out a spot where the bodies of the deceased were dumped in the Mohale Dam.
In his judgment, a judge presiding over the matter stated that the prosecution has satisfied the provisions of kidnapping and unlawful detention of Noko by Moepi adding that his involvement in the disappearance of the deceased has been established by the prosecution.
He indicated that while the defence lawyer Advocate Qhalehang Letsika argued that the evidence pointing out is not sufficient and that no witness testified that Tikiso was involved in the murders of the three men, the accused is not a random man charged with the murders.
The judge pointed out that evidence indicated that Tikiso took investigators to Mohale Dam where he pointed out a spot where the bodies of the deceased were dumped and later retrieved from the same spot. He added that pointing out by the accused is communication by conduct on its part that he has knowledge of the crime.
“The knowledge of the exact spot where the bodies of the deceased were retrieved is fanciful”, said the judge adding that the accused is involved in the murders of the three men.
The deceased were reportedly part of the suspects taken in by the police in May 2017 following a shooting at the Maseru Border Post whereby two members of the army and a street vendor were shot. Private Halekhethe Nkonyana sustained injuries while Private Katleho Seliane and Mr. Moiketsi Makhabane died.
The three suspects were released from police custody after it was concluded that there was no evidence against them while Motlatsi Rantaoana was charged and convicted following joint investigations by the police and the army.
The case is before Justice Moroke Mokhesi and the prosecution is represented by Adv. Motene Rafoneke.
Ends/SM/tl
