Africa-Press – Lesotho. The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is owing M1 994 976.01 to the lead prosecutor in the “high profile” cases, Advocate Shaun Abrahams.
This the Minister of Law and Justice Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane told the National Assembly on Thursday this week while responding to the question posed by the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD)’s proportional
representative (PR) member Hon. Tšeliso Mokhosi wherein he wanted the Minister to apprise the august house regarding the contractual payments of Advocate
Abrahams. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Advocate Hlalefang Motinyane had engaged Advocate Shaun Abrahams in 2018 as a lead counsel to prosecute
the “high profile” cases. The former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) at the South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has previously told
the court that he withdraws his services as the prosecutor but did not say why. It is understood his withdrawal is on account of his outstanding legal fees.
The Minister told the lawmakers that for his daily fee appearance at the High Court the state pays him M20 000.00, the daily fee appearance at Magistrate Court is paid M15 000.00 and his consultation fee is
M2 500.00 perusing, preparing the documents per hour. Meanwhile, the junior lawyer prosecuting these cases with Advocate Abrahams is paid M15 000.00 per daily court appearance and
consultation fees for perusal and preparation of documents cost M1 500.00. Despite the DPP telling the High Court that her office had “iron out issues” between her office and Advocate Abrahams, the lead
prosecutor still has not returned to continue prosecuting the “high profile” cases. Some of the “high profile” cases he is prosecuting are that of the murder of the former Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Lieutenant General
Maaparankoe Mahao, treason case and the murder of Police Constable Mokalekale Khetheng. Meanwhile, recently at the hearing of the treason case, Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane pointed out that the procedure was flawed
citing the prosecutions lack of furnishing the court with an opening statement and the list of witnesses. “This means that all this time, all concerned were
navigating without proper guidance,” he said. He also told the accused involved in this case that the case will have to start afresh. Advocate Rakuoane said his office and the office of
the Attorney General are working on the policy which will address the recruitment of foreign lawyers. The High Court Judge, Justice Molefi Makara had recently told the National Reforms Authority (NRA) that there is no need for
the country to enlist the services of the foreign Judges as Lesotho boasts equally competent Judges. Thoboloko Ntšonyane MASERU – The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is owing M1 994 976.01 to the lead
prosecutor in the “high profile” cases, Advocate Shaun Abrahams. This the Minister of Law and Justice Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane told the National Assembly on Thursday this week while responding to
the question posed by the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD)’s proportional representative (PR) member Hon. Tšeliso Mokhosi wherein he wanted the Minister
to apprise the august house regarding the contractual payments of Advocate Abrahams. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Advocate Hlalefang Motinyane had engaged Advocate Shaun Abrahams in 2018 as a lead counsel to prosecute
the “high profile” cases. The former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) at the South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has previously told
the court that he withdraws his services as the prosecutor but did not say why. It is understood his withdrawal is on account of his outstanding legal fees.
The Minister told the lawmakers that for his daily fee appearance at the High Court the state pays him M20 000.00, the daily fee appearance at Magistrate Court is paid M15 000.00 and his consultation fee is
M2 500.00 perusing, preparing the documents per hour. Meanwhile, the junior lawyer prosecuting these cases with Advocate Abrahams is paid M15 000.00 per daily court appearance and
consultation fees for perusal and preparation of documents cost M1 500.00. Despite the DPP telling the High Court that her office had “iron out issues” between her office and Advocate Abrahams, the lead
prosecutor still has not returned to continue prosecuting the “high profile” cases. Some of the “high profile” cases he is prosecuting are that of the murder of the former Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Lieutenant General
Maaparankoe Mahao, treason case and the murder of Police Constable Mokalekale Khetheng. Meanwhile, recently at the hearing of the treason case, Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane pointed out that the procedure was flawed
citing the prosecutions lack of furnishing the court with an opening statement and the list of witnesses. “This means that all this time, all concerned were
navigating without proper guidance,” he said. He also told the accused involved in this case that the case will have to start afresh. Advocate Rakuoane said his office and the office of
the Attorney General are working on the policy which will address the recruitment of foreign lawyers. The High Court Judge, Justice Molefi Makara had recently told the National Reforms Authority (NRA) that there is no need for the country to enlist the services of the foreign Judges as Lesotho boasts equally competent Judges.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
