Maseru, Jun.01 — Advocate Napo Mafaesa, one of the defence lawyers in an ongoing treason trial, says evidence by Sergeant Kamoho Mahanetsa has been evolving, therefore it should be disregarded.
This he said as he continued to cross-examine him following completion of evidence by Sergeant Shaabe Thamae, who first took the stand in February 2025 but could not finish due to his ill health and returned in March 2026.
The cross-examination of Mahanetsa was deferred following an application by the defence in which Advocates Mafaesa and Lepeli Molapo requested the deferment in order to allow them to engage with an expert.
They indicated that the engagement with the expert will help them structure their defence and guide their line of questioning.Adv. Mafaesa told the witness that an instruction from his client Leutsoa Motsieloa, one of the accused, is that Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko was not shot in the manner he described before the court.
According to evidence before the court, Ramahloko was shot and killed during the alleged August 2014 attacks at the Police Headquarters and other police stations by army members.
The defence argues that the army members conducted a legal operation intended to disarm the police because there was intelligence that they were going to arm some people who would cause instability in the country.
The lawyer stated that his client says there was never a time when two soldiers placed rifles on the shoulder of the witness and shot at the deceased.
He added that the accused says a suggestion that the deceased was standing at the door to the Radio Room is not supported by independent or collected evidence.
The witness insisted that the shooting occurred in the manner in which he described before the court. He however acknowledged that what appears in his handwritten statement about how the deceased was shot is different from what appears in the typed statement. He also confirmed that what is recorded in the statements contradict what he said in his oral evidence before the court regarding the same issue.
He had in March testified that some of the issues he included in his statements were dictated to him by the members of the army adding that he did not disclose all the information during an interview by the police because he did not trust them.
Motsieloa is in this case charged together with 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 and Motloheloa Ntsane.
They are facing various charges and their alternatives which include treason, murder, and 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 Mahanetsa, 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.
Adv. Mafaesa is in the defence team with Advocates Motiea Teele (KC), Letuka Molati, Lepeli Molapo and Kabelo Letuka. The prosecution is represented by Advocates Motene Rafoneke and Rethabile Setlojoane.
The case continues before Justice ‘Maliepollo Makhetha.
Ends/SM
