Africa-Press – Lesotho. Three firearms that had mysteriously disappeared while held as court exhibits in the murder case of Ralikonelo ‘Leqhashasha’ Joki, Mothibe Mothibe and Thomello Ntsane have since been recovered and were presented before Justice Ts’eliso Mokoko on Wednesday following an order issued by Justice Ts’eliso Mokoko directing the Commissioner of Police and investigating officers to account for their disappearance.
During proceedings, Justice Mokoko revealed that the court had earlier ordered that three firearms exhibits be presented before court prior to the hearing. However, when the matter was called, the firearms could not be accounted for and police officers appeared before court blaming one another for their disappearance.
Justice Mokoko said the situation was deeply troubling, noting that in several instances firearms released to the police later disappeared and were allegedly used to commit further crimes.
The court was informed that suspects linked to such firearms were sometimes released, after which the weapons resurfaced in criminal activities.
Addressing the court, Commissioner of Police (COMPOL) Advocate Borotho Matsoso told the court that the firearms had been misplaced due to negligence but assured the court that measures had been taken to recover them. He acknowledged that the situation was careless and said the police had learned a lesson.
Advocate Matsoso conceded that there have been cases of misconduct within the service, where some officers unlawfully disposed of firearms instead of destroying them, although this was against official policy.
The court emphasized that all firearms exhibits must be destroyed as ordered, stressing that the continued circulation of illegal weapons poses a serious threat to public safety.
Justice Mokoko said the country is facing a crisis of violent crime and warned that failure to properly manage firearms directly contributes to loss of life.
As part of a new directive, the court ordered that the Commissioner of Police must inform the court in advance of the date on which firearms exhibits will be destroyed. The court also stated that it intends to personally observe the destruction of such exhibits to ensure compliance.
