Maseru, Jan.12—- Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, one of the nine members of the army including Former Army Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli who are charged with the murder of Maaparankoe Mahao, has on Monday related how he was arrested in September 2017 and eventually slapped with charges in relation to the current case.
In his evidence as the first accused in the matter to enter the defence case after their application for discharge was denied by the court, he stated that the Military Police took him from the Makoanyane Military Detention Centre to the Police Headquarters where he was charged with the murder of Mahao.
He indicated that his detention at Makoanyane came after the death of the late Lieutenant General Khoantle Motsomotso who was shot on September 05 2017 together with the then Brigadier Bulane Sechele and Colonel Tefo Hashatsi at the Ratjomose Barracks.
The accused testified that following the incident, someone showed him a screenshot text from Facebook in which it was indicated that he had to be watched as he was mobilising soldiers from the special forces to fight as his friends Sechele and Hashatsi were killed.
He stated that he took the matter to the Military Intelligence Office and showed the text to Brigadier Mphaki who dismissed it as ‘Facebook rubbish’ adding that the army command was aware of it. He said when he left the Military Intelligence office in town where he met Brigadier Mphaki, he was confronted by a group of soldiers who told him that they were arresting him. He added that they took his official and personal firearms, cuffed him and took him to the detention centre.
Captain Nyakane testified that two weeks after his arrest he learned that he was charged with illegal possession of firearm and mutiny for the death of Motsomotso. He indicated that the matter went to the Court Martial adding that he was charged together with Major Ramoepane and Captain Fonane. He pointed out that the charge on illegal possession of firearm was no longer included.
He told the court that none of the prosecution witnesses mentioned his name or that of Fonane in their evidence during the proceedings before the Court Martial.
The accused in this matter are alleged to have shot and killed Mahao on June 25 2015 at Ha Lekete in Mokema. They are also facing several other charges in relation to this matter.
The prosecution is represented by Advocates Setlojoane and Lehlohonolo Phooko while the defence team is made up of Advocates Molati, Qhalehang Lestika, Silas Ratau, Napo Mafaesa and Kabelo Letuka.
The case continues before Justice Charles Hungwe.
Ends/SM/BM
