Africa-Press – Lesotho. The defence lawyer in an ongoing Mohale Dam murder trial Advocate Letuka Molati has fired the spate of questions to the accomplice witness Major Litsietsi Monyeke.
The accomplice witness was at pains to answer the questions posed by the defence lawyer during the two-day cross-examination on Thursday and Friday last
week. Also, last week, while giving chief evidence, he implicated the first accused Brigadier Rapele Mphaki whom he said had told them to “eliminate” the suspects,
asked by the lead prosecutor Advocate Shaun Abrahams what he understood the directive to mean he said that “it is upon us the Captains to execute that
order”. Outside Pitso Ground police station, Major Monyeke said there was Captain Moeletsi and Warrant Officer Sefako who were next to the Toyota Hilux bakkie.
He said Captain Moeletsi then told him that he wanted to “grab” the suspects. Upon hearing this the witness said he phoned Major Ramoepana who said he does not
know of the plan to “grab” suspects. Major Monyeke however told the court that Major Ramoepana then told him that the then acting Commander of the Lesotho
Defence Force (LDF) Major General Lineo Poopa does not want “such things”, kidnapping and killing civilians, under his command and therefore they must
“abort” the task. He said while reporting to Brigadier Mphaki he asked him if he knew where the suspects
were thrown at, he said no and was told that they had been thrown at Mohale Dam. Advocate Letuka asked the accomplice witness if he is aware that conspiracy is two or
more people planning something, this he said in reference to him saying that Brigadier Mphaki issued an instruction that suspects be killed, to which he
replied yes. “At what stage were you told that you would not be prosecuted if you agreed to testify?’ Advocate Letuka asked Major Monyeke who denied, saying there was no
such stage. He further charged at the state witness suggesting to him that the evidence he levelled against Captain Mahlele Moeletsi, also accused in this matter, that
the latter wanted to “grab” suspects from the police is “manufactured, fabricated and invented”. Reacting to this, the accomplice witness said “that is your opinion”.
Advocate Molati asked him if he felt “heroic” about testifying against his colleagues even juniors as the Private in rank, he said no but is forced by the
circumstances. Meanwhile, it is only Advocate Molati among defence counsels who has cross-examined this witness albeit partly as he is said to be based abroad.
In 2017 Khothatso Makibinyane, Paseka Pakela and Lekhoele Noko were allegedly murdered and thrown in the Mohale Dam in May and were later retrieved in December.
Makibinyane and Pakela were said to be members of famo gang. The suspects are said to be famo gangsters who were arrested for allegedly killing a soldier in May 2017 at the Maseru border gate.
He told the court that there was a commotion at Pitso Ground Police Station where he met Detective Constable Nkhahle and Private Tieho Tikiso at the reception of
Pitso Ground Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office when the suspects were released. The witness said Detective Constable Nkhahle reacted in shock
upon seeing them and exclaimed “khilik” an exclamation word for someone surprised or shocked. The accused soldiers are Brigadier Mphaki, Seargent Lekhoa Moepi, Captain Moeletsi,
Major Ramoepana, Lance Corporal Mahlomola Makhoali, Private Nthatakane Motanyane, Private Motšoane Machai, Warrant Officer Liphapang Sefako, Private Nemase Faso and Private Tikiso.
They face charges of murder, assault, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping and issuing unlawful superior orders. They have all pleaded not guilty. Some of
the counsels for the crown are Advocate Naki Nku and Advocate Motene Rafoneke. The defence team is made of Advocate Molati, Advocate Mohau KC, Advocate Kabelo Letuka, Attorney Letsika and Advocate Napo Mafaesa. The case is before Justice Moroke Mokhesi. The case continues.
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