Maseru, Apr. 20 — A case in which two members of the army are charged with the murders of three men whose bodies were recovered from the Mohale Dam in 2017, which was scheduled to proceed on Monday was adjourned to Tuesday.
The case could not resume as planned because a defence lawyer in the matter Advocate Qhalehang Letsika had a case before the Court of Appeal and according to a standing rule, matters before the Court of Appeal are given a priority.
The two accused in the matter: Lekhooa Moepi and Tieho Tikiso 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 application for discharge was moved pursuant to section 175 (3) of Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No.9 of 1981. The accused argued that there was no evidence linking them to the offences charged.
In his judgment, the presiding judge Justice Moroke Mokhesi stated that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused. He pointed out that none of the state witnesses testified to witnessing any of the accused kill the deceased and dump their bodies into the Mohale Dam.
He added that the prosecution failed to call some of the people who were mentioned by some of the witnesses, to testify. He further added that some of the state witnesses contradicted each other.
Moepi and Tikiso have been called to enter their defence in relation to some of the charges against them as they made statements before a magistrate.
According to the charges, the accused acted in concert and in furtherance of a common purpose and kidnapped as well as strangled Lekhoele Noko, Khothatso Makibinyane and Molise Pakela to death during incidents that happened at Setibing in Maseru on May 16, 2017.
It is alleged that following the killing, they dumped their bodies into the Mohale Dam from which they were later retrieved.
The other charges against the accused include conspiracy to murder, unlawful detention and issuing superior orders to unlawful detention as well as to kill.
Ends/SM/tl
