Maseru, Feb.09– Retired Inspector Mothibeli Mofolo, one of the four police officers charged with the murder of their colleague Police Constable Mokalekale Khetheng, says he is being falsely implicated in the matter.
This he said during his evidence in chief as the defence continues to present its case.
He testified that some of the state witnesses, ‘Manthuseng Tulo and her son Sello Tulo lied about him as they were influenced by the investigating officers of this case.
He indicated that Sello, who was facing a murder charge had the charge dropped adding that it shows that something must have happened between the Tulos and the police.
He denied that he ever went to the Tulo’s house or admitted to ‘Manthuseng that the police killed Khetheng.
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.
Mofolo is charged together with Retired Superintendent Thabo Ts’ukulu, 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