Maseru, Aug.25—- A seemingly trend of murder accused not showing up before court on scheduled hearing dates thus violating one of their bail conditions to stand trial, currently presents a setback for the administration of Justice.
Although the High Court has introduced a Criminal session to reduce a backlog of criminal cases, ensure speedy trial as well as restore the public trust into the justice system, the effort is proving fruitless. While some accused do not come to court from the first day of the hearing, some disappear mid-trial especially while awaiting judgment.
This often leaves families, especially those of victims, desperate for justice to be served and courts with wasted time and resources.
Today only, two murder cases scheduled for hearing before Justice Tseliso Mokoko failed to proceed as the accused were not before court.
In a case against Thabang Molibeli, the court was informed that the accused who works in the mines in South Africa did not communicate any possibility of not being available for the trial when he was reminded of the hearing date by his lawyer.
Advocate Christopher Lephuthing who is representing the accused stated that when his client failed to appear before court on February 18, 2025, he arranged for him to come in March to remedy that. He indicated that the accused appeared before an Assistant Registrar for an interview to secure his attendance…SM/BM
