Africa-Press – Lesotho. Retired Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and also former acting Commissioner of Police (COMPOL) Keketso Monaheng has on Friday taken a stand as a state witness in an ongoing former Commander of Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli’s case.
Leading him with questions in his evidence in chief, Lead Prosecutor Advocate Shaun Abrahams asked him to detail the events of the meeting in the State House on the day Lieutenant General Mahao was killed. Mahao was fatally shot on June 25, 2015 in the outskirts of Maseru by fellow members of LDF.
In the meeting which he said was chaired by then Prime Minister Hon Pakalitha Mosisili, he said in attendance was then Deputy Prime Minister Hon Mothetjoa Metsing, then Minister of Defence and National Security Hon Tšeliso Mokhosi, then Minister of Police Hon Monyane Moleleki, then Minister of Justice Hon Moeketse Malebo, retired
Commander of LDF Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, accused No.9 in the case, Major Bulane Sechele, Captain Tefo Hashatsi, both deceased and Major Tumo Lekhooa.
Retired DCP said on the day, Mahao died, he received a phone call from Major General Khoantle ‘Motšomotšo, now deceased telling him that Mahao has passed on.
He said upon receiving that death report, he instructed the then DCP Holomo Molibeli, current COMPOL, to facilitate the investigations around the death of Mahao.
Asked about the purpose of the meeting, Monaheng said the former PM wanted to establish the circumstances that caused the death of Mahao. He told the court that in that meeting, Kamoli reported that the deceased was caught in a crossfire as there was an exchange between him and his arrestees as he had “resisted” the arrest.
“In his [Kamoli] report, he emphasized that the operation was a lawful one,” he said. The LDF command had accused Mahao of plotting mutiny. Advocate Abrahams asked what was the purpose of Sechele, Hashatsi, and Lekhooa for attending that meeting, to which he said he did not know.
Monaheng said Mosisili instructed Kamoli to ensure investigations are conducted properly and that there is cooperations with the police during the investigations.
The witness however told the court that there was no cooperation from the office of the then commander, Retired Lieutenant General Kamoli. Monaheng is the
sixth witness in this trial. The accused are Retired Lieutenant General Kamoli and eight other soldiers Litekanyo Nyakane, Haleo Makara, Lekhooa Moepi, Motsamai Fako, Marasi Moleli, Motšoane
Machai, Tšitso Ramoholi and Molahlehi Seitlheko. They face among other charges murder of Mahao. Following the death of Mahao, Mosisili requested the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to assist with
investigations around the death of Mahao. This move resulted in the establishing of what was known as Phumaphi Commission which was led by Botswana judge, Mpaphi Phumaphi along with other officials from South Africa, Namibia
and Zimbabwe. This Commission had recommended that people who are suspected to have a hand in criminal activities that brought instability and caused the death of Lieutenant General Mahao to be tried before
courts of law, resulting in the ongoing “high profile” cases where soldiers and members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) stand accused of many
crimes including murder, assault and kidnapping. The trial has been adjourned to July 4. The crown is represented by lead prosecutor Advocate Shaun Abrahams and is assisted
by Advocate Motene Rafoneke and Advocate Sentle Khatebe. The defence counsels are Advocate Silas Ratau, Attorney Qhalehang Letsika, Advocate Letuka Molati, Advocate Napo Mafaesa and Advocate Kabelo Letuka. The case is before Judge Charles Hungwe.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
