Maseru, Sept. 04 — Retired Inspector Lebohang Motanya has on Thursday told the High Court that it was only in 2017 when the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) released to the police, suspects in the murder of Maaparankoe Mahao.
In his evidence during an ongoing trial against nine army members charged with the murder of Mahao, the witness stated that in June 2015 while investigating the death of the deceased, a team of police which he was part of, discovered information linking eight army members to the killing of the deceased.
He stated that they asked their superiors to write to the LDF and request that the suspects be released to the police. He indicated that it was only on November 27 2017 when Captain Maanela of the Military Police handed over to the police, Captain Haleeo Makara, Sergeant Motsamai Fako, Corporal Marasi ‘Moleli and Corporal Ts’itso Ramoholi. He said following introductions, cautioning and interviews, they were charged with the murder of Mahao.
The witness testified that Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Sergeant Lekhooa Moepi, Corporal Mots’oane Machae and Corporal Mohlalefi Seitlheko were already in the custody of the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) on other cases, therefore were given the same charge from prison on November 29 2017.
Ends/SM/tl
