Maseru, Feb.06—A case in which four police officers are charged with the murder of their colleague Police Constable Mokalekale Khetheng, will on Monday next week resume before the High Court and the defence is expected to continue to present its case.
When it was adjourned, Retired Inspector Mothibeli Mofolo who is one of the accused was still on the stand.
In his evidence, he emphasised that Khetheng was never under arrest on March 26 2016 but was only brought to the Hlotse Police Station to meet the now Retired Superintendent Thabo Ts’ukulu who was at that time heading the station.
His evidence has been corroborated by that of his co-accused Superintendent Ts’ukulu when he was on the stand. He too testified that Khetheng was not arrested adding that he dissapeared when he was to meet him and was never seen again.
The defence began to present its case after their application for discharge which they had moved in terms of Section 175 (3) of Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 1981 was dismissed by the court.
The court has in this matter already held a trial within trial in order to establish the admissibility of the evidence by Inspector Rapelang Nkeane which was in 2023 interrupted by an objection from the defence. He had testified that the accused pointed out a spot where the body of the deceased was dumped.
The defence argued that the pointing out was not free and voluntary and thus challenged the admissibility of the evidence.
The court ruled in favour of the defence, indicating that the evidence was not admissible. It however also ruled that what the accused did while in police custody can be included in the evidence.
Other accused in the matter are Senior Inspector Mabitle Matona and Sub-Inspector Haleokoe Taasoana.
The accused were initially charged together with Former Commissioner of Police Molahlehi Letsoepa who reportedly fled the country. He however came back in 2025 and is currently out on bail.
The accused were also charged together with the current Minister of Labour and Employment Tseliso Mokhosi who however got the charges against him later dropped.
It is alleged that Khetheng met his death in March 2016 following his arrest by the Hlotse Police. The defence insist that he disappeared from the police when he was to meet his superiors.
The case is before Justice Charles Hungwe.
Ends/SM/BM