Africa-Press – Lesotho. Advocate Zwelakhe Mda King’s Counsel (KC) has punched holes in the testimony and evidence of the state witness in the ongoing murder trial of Police Constable (PC) Mokalekale Khetheng in the High Court yesterday.
The state witness, PC Tumelo Ntoane was at pains to respond to the barrage of questions posed to him by the defence lawyer Advocate Mda KC during the cross-examination.
Advocate Mda KC said the witness told the court a lie about Superintendent Mathibeli Mofolo who is the second accused that the former did not say the deceased be
arrested. PC Ntoane said he told the court the circumstances which had led him to say contrary to what had happened. Charging at him, Advocate Mda KC said his evidence was “nothing short of
fabrication”. The crown is represented by Advocate Shaun Abrahams, Advocate ‘Naki Nku and Advocate Motene Rafoneke. Advocate Thulo Hoeaneis watching the brief.
The defence lawyer put it to the witness that some of the evidence he gave before the court was falsehood to save his skin after experiencing torture at Mabote
Police Station. This the witness vehemently denied. When asked if he heard the second accused being tortured, he said he could pick noise from the next room at Mabote Police Station adding that the police at
that post wanted to establish the truth and sometimes to “determine” whether the evidence is truthful they mete out torture. Asked if the members of what was known as Lebajoa’s team, a team of police notorious
for torturing suspects, were never prosecuted and instead were “rewarded” with promotions, he said, “indeed they are flying high”. “So you decided to join the course with them?” Advocate Mda KC enquired.
“That is incorrect,” said the witness. According to the court papers, the deceased appeared before the Mokhotlong Magistrate
Court and was further detained and released on bail after two weeks period. He was later reported missing and his body was exhumed on August 11, 2017, at
Lepereng, Maseru. Some of the witnesses expected to testify are the former Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Monyane Moleleki the then Minister of Police and former Minister of Defence and National Security Hon.
Tšeliso Mokhosi during the period March 2015 to June 2017. The accused are: Senior Superintendent Thabo Tšukulu, Superintendent Mofolo, Inspector Mabitle Matona and PC Haleokoe Taasoane being the first to fourth
accused respectively. Representing the first accused are Advocate Karabo Mohau King’s Counsel (KC) and Advocate Kabelo Letuka while the second to fourth accused’s lawyer is Advocate Mda KC. The case is before Judge Charles Hungwe. The case continues.
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