Maseru, Jan.14–Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, one of the members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) charged together with Retired Army Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli for the murder of Maaparankoe mahao, has on Wednesday admitted that he was at Ha Lekete in Mokema on June 25 2015 when the deceased was shot.
In his evidence as the first defence witness after the court dismissed an application for discharge, he testified that he was part of the three teams of soldiers which were tasked with the arrest of Mahao. He stated that while the second and third teams went to Mokema through Ha Mantsebo, the first team in which he was, with the then Captain Tefo Hashatsi and others, went to Mokema through Mahlabatheng.
He indicated that enroute to Mokema, Hashatsi was on the phone several times. He added that while traveling between Mahlabatheng and Ha Lekete, Hashatsi told them that Mahao was on his way from Mokema driving his half-truck. He further added that Hashatsi called Seargeant Makara and told him that Mahao was approaching the tarred road in his half-truck therefore they should hurry.
He testified that when they got to Ha Lekete they met Mahao who was with two passengers in the truck adding that it was followed by the vehicles carrying the two teams, though it was not at close range. He pointed out that Hashatsi made a radio message to the other teams and told them that the truck they were following was driven by Mahao.
“He immediately instructed me to make a U-turn and follow the rest of the vehicles. As we approached the vehicles, Captain Hashatsi radio messaged Serageant Makara and told him that they should approach the truck and try to signal it to stop”, said Nyakane…
SM/BM
