Africa-Press – Lesotho. The state witness Major Litsietsi Monyeke has told the court that the first accused in an ongoing Mohale Dam murder trial Brigadier Rapele Mphaki told the
Captains to “eliminate” the suspects. This the state witness said while giving his chief evidence in the High Court on Wednesday this week. Leading him, the lead prosecutor Advocate Shaun Abrahams asked him what he understood
when they were told to “eliminate” the suspects, Major Monyeke said, “it is upon us the Captains to execute that order”. The suspects are said to be famo gangsters who were arrested for allegedly killing
a soldier in May 2017 at the Maseru border gate. 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. Major Monyeke told the court how he instructed one Private Liphoso to take pictures of the suspects for identification by the member of the army.
The pictures he said were to be sent to Major Pitso Ramoepana. 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. The witness said Detective Constable Nkhahle reacted in shock upon seeing them and exclaimed “khilik”
an exclamation word for someone surprised or shocked. Outside the 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. The
“plan” to “eliminate” the suspects did happen as he said the military vehicle
was parked near the Police Station near Mejametalana Airbase looking for suspects. He said he called Major Ramoepana who said that they have been “exposed and compromised” and suggested that the vehicle be changed and sedan
car is used instead of this, he said there was a post on Facebook implicating their presence to criminal activities. Major Monyeke said he asked Captain Moeletsi if they were able to get hold of the
suspects who told him that one suspect, Noko was very stubborn and resisted when they took him out of the bus. Also, the witness told the court that the
information he received was that Noko’s dying was not easy like others as he was strangled before he died. 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. The accused soldiers are Brigadier Mphaki, Seargent Lekhoa Moepi, Captain Mahlele
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, 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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