The High Court will on Monday next week continue to hear a case in which two politicians, Former Army Commander and some army members are among others charged with treason.
Recent witnesses to testify in the matter include Lance Sergeant Shaabe Thamae, a member of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service who told the court that he was in the company of the late Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko when he was shot by members of the army who were engaged in an operation intended to disarm the police in August 2014.
Another witness was Liau Seeko Inspector Liau Seeko, a Crime Scene Investigator who presented to the court a photo album containing pictures of crime scenes from several police stations that were attacked in 2014.
His evidence resulted in an inspection in loco which was conducted at the Maseru Central Charge Office, Police Headquarters, Serious Crime Unit (SCU) Office at Pitso Ground Police Station and another which is located at Ha Mabote.
The defence has among others stated that the trial is just a ploy to weaponise the legal system against the accused. They added that the operation was legal and intended to preserve lives.
The accused in this matter comprise the leader of Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), also Former Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Mothetjoa Metsing, the leader of Movement for Economic Change (MEC) also current Minister of Health 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, 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 person’s 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.