MASERU — Four serving members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) have been hauled before the courts for allegedly running a corrupt firearms licensing racket that helped famo gangstersillegally acquire guns.
The officers — Rantšo Makhakhe (48) of Qoaling Police Station, Reekelitsoe Motoena (32) from the Special Operations Unit (SOU), Mashalane Tsita (34) of Pitso Ground, and Pule Akhente (33) of Maseru Central Charge Office — appeared this week in the Maseru Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of fraud, abuse of office, and money laundering.
Presiding over the matter was Magistrate Nkhethoa Molapo, while Advocate Keketso Motikiappeared for the Crown.
According to police reports, the four officers allegedly manipulated the LMPS firearms licensing system, falsifying government documents to grant firearm licences to suspected gangsters — identified as Ramoloko Ntlapeli, Lehopotsejoang Mofundisi, Jeremane Motsoahae, and Lehlohonolo Khoabane — without conducting background checks.
Investigators say the officers were allegedly paid M10,000 per licence, with a further M150,000 cash “thank you” handed over once the firearms were secured. One of the weapons was reportedly sold for M70,000.
However, the scheme allegedly turned sour when Motoena, acting as middleman, pocketed most of the proceeds, giving each accomplice only M1,000 while using the rest to buy a Honda Fit, which has since been seized by police as suspected proceeds...
