Maseru, Aug. 20 — A case in which nine members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) including Retired Army Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli are charged with the murder of their colleague Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao, has been postponed to December 04, 2026 and December 14-18, 2026 as well as January 26-29, 2027 for continuation.
The case was postponed during cross-examination of one of the defence witnesses, also one of the accused in the matter Corporal Marasi ‘Moleli.
The witness who was a member of the Special Forces in the army in 2015 testified about his role during an operation held on June 25, 2015 at Mokema as part of mutiny suppression.
He stated that, together with Private Mokete Halahala he conducted surveillance on the deceased from when he got to his farm at Mokema until he left as he was to be arrested that day, adding that they reported to the late Captain Tefo Hashatsi who was a leader of an operation.
He indicated that on their way to join the teams that took part in the operation he got information that the deceased was shot and taken to the Makoanyane Military Hospital.
He among others told the Court that he was convinced that there was mutiny because a source had told him that he was part of the army members who were planning to attack the army command and senior army officers.
He added that a briefing by Hashatsi confirmed that mutiny existed further adding that the then Minister of Defence even convened the Court Martial to try mutiny suspects.
The defence has since January 2026 been presenting its case before the Court following their unsuccessful application for discharge.
Among the defence witnesses who have already testified are the accused Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Captain Haleeo Makara who admitted that he shot Mahao and Sergeant Lekhooa Moepi as well as the late Corporal Molise Molieleng and Retired Major ‘Mamatela Hokinyana who worked at the Makoanyane Military Hospital in 2015 and was one of the medical staff which attended to the deceased before he was pronounced dead.
Another defence witness who testified in the matter is Retired Colonel Tumo Lekhooa, former Director-General of the National Security Service (NSS), also former head of Military Intelligence within the LDF.
This witness was initially charged together with the accused in this matter as well as in a treason matter pending before the High Court. He however fled the country in 2017 and could not stand trial together with his co-accused in both matters. He came back to Lesotho in 2025, was arrested, charged and granted bail.
The accused are alleged to have intentionally shot and killed Mahao at Ha Lekete in Mokema on June 25 2015. They are also charged with attempted murder, theft and unlawful damage to property.
The case is before Justice Charles Hungwe.
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