Maseru — Retired Commander of the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli who is charged together with four members of the army for their alleged involvement in the 2014 bombings, has told the High Court that following the incident, the then Prime Minister Dr. Motsoahae Thabane instructed him to assist the then Commissioner of Police Dr. Khothatso Ts’ooana as his home was also attacked and he was a newbie.
This he said while he testified as the first defence witness in the matter following an unsuccessful application for discharge.
He testified that the instruction from the Prime Minister came after he infomed him that there was a shooting at his then girlfriend Liabiloe Ramoholi, now wife ‘Maesiah Thabane, at Moshoeshoe II on January 27 2014.
He stated that he told the Prime Minister that he would follow up the matter, working together with the National Security Service (NSS).
Kamoli further told the Court that it was a normal practice that the army and the police as well as the NSS had joined investigations.
He gave an example of a case in which a senior army official was shot and killed at Masianokeng between 2002 and 2003.
He said the joint investigations resulted in arrest of the killers.
He added that in 2007 the agencies worked together following attacks on ministers’ residents and disaming of their bodyguards.
Among the ministers whom he said were victims of the attacks, he mentioned the late Minister Motloheloa Phooko, Deputy Minister Lebesa and Minister Mothetjoa Metsing.
He pointed out that he therefore understood that there had to be joined investigations in the attacks at Moshoeshoe II and Ha Abia.
In its judgment dismissing the application for dischage by the accused, the Court has stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution against the accused is of sufficient weight to warrant the accused to present their case.
It indicated that discharge is warranted when there is no evidence or if the evidence presented is unreliable or discredited to the extent that no reasonable court might act on it.
It added that a bare denial does not constitute discharge.The Retired Army Commander is in this case charged together with Pitso Ramoepane, Litekanyo Nyakane, Mohlalefi Seitlheko and Heqoa Malefane.
They are charged with attempted murder, risk of injury, aggravated assault and malicious damage to property.Kamoli is accused of issuing illegal superior orders and obstructing justice.
The accused are represented by Advocates Karabo Mohau (KC), Letuka Molati, Kabelo Letuka, Napo Mafaesa and Rasekoai Thoahlane while the prosecution is represented by Advocates Rethabile Setlojoane and Motene Rafoneke.The case is before Justice Charles Hungwe.
Ends/SM
