Maseru, Jun.04 — The High Court in an ongoing treason trial has heard from one of the state witnesses, Sergeant Mokete Litulo that several police officers had fled to South Africa following the alleged army attacks at some police stations including the Police Headquarters in Maseru in August 2014.
The witness testified that one of the police officers who were present at the Police Headquarters, Sergeant Shaabe Thamae called him after the attack and informed him that he had fled to South Africa. He indicated that he too decided to skip the country after he heard footsteps from outside his house, in the middle of the night while he was sleeping.
He indicated that he went to Lybrand in South Africa where there were several police officers who had fled from Lesotho.
He pointed out that a day following his arrival in South Africa, there was a meeting in which they were told that they would be taken back to Lesotho.
He said when they returned to Lesotho, they gathered at the Police Headquarters where a parade was held, and they were directed to go to their respective homes.
The witness informed the court that they stayed at home until there was an instruction for them to report to work.
The accused in this matter comprise the leader of Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), also Former Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Mothetjoa Metsing, and the leader of Movement for Economic Change (MEC) also current Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane, Former Army Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli and some army members Litekanyo Nyakane, Motloheloa Ntsane and Leutsoa Motsieloa.
They are facing various charges and their alternatives which include treason, murder, and attempted murder, risk of injury or death and aggravated assault which they have pleaded not guilty to.
The charges which are against all the accused include murder of Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko and attempted murder of Letsekang Mothibeli together with its alternatives, aggravated assault against Sergent Mahanetse, Lance Sergeant Thabisa Kopa, Lance Sergeant Thamae, Police Constable Mokete Litulo and Police Constable Mone respectively.
The charges of treason, attempted murder of Police Constable Moeketsi and its alternatives (risk to injury or death and aggravated assault) together with assault of Sub-Inspector Joel are against Kamoli, Nyakane, Metsing and Mochoboroane only.
According to the charge sheet the alleged offences occurred on August 29-30 2014 and they were committed in furtherance of shared and common purpose by the accused together with the late Tefo Hashatsi and Bulane Sechele together with Tumo Lekhooa as well as persons unknown to the prosecution.
The defence is in this case represented by Advocates Motiea Teele (KC), Letuka Molati, Lepeli Molapo, Kabelo Letuka and Napo Mafaesa while the prosecution is represented by Advocates Motene Rafoneke and Rethabile Setlojoane.
The case is before Justice ‘Maliepollo Makhetha.
Ends/SM
