MASERU -The current Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Lieutenant General (Lt. Gen)Mojalefa Letsoela has taken a stand this week in a case in which nine army members are charged with the murder of Maaparankoe Mahao. The Army Commander becomes the 38th witness in this case after the nephew of the deceased, Mahao Leuta Mahao completed his testimony.
In his testimony, he stated that in 2015 there were assertions of mutiny within the LDF as per intelligence. He pointed out that an order was issued to suppress the mutiny, following constitution of a Court martial. Lt Gen Letsoela have evidence that on the 14th day of May 2015, three investigation teams were organized on an operation to suppress the mutiny in order to facilitate appearance before the Court martial.
Moreover, He told the High Court that an operation order issued in 2015 for the arrest of mutiny suspects is unacceptable. Lt Gen Letsoela stated that the document dated the 13th day of May 2015 has some shortfalls.
Lt. Gen Letsoela highlighted that it does not meet the terms of the LDF Military Service Writing Conventions. He stated that wording and jargon used make it impossible for him to know who the author of the document is. He added that there seems to be a duplication of level of authority.
The witness showed that his observation as per the operation order, is that the operators were given limits to use minimum forces whenever necessary. He added that use of firearms was only restricted as a last resort. He added that there were measures of safety for all operators for their own safety and minimization of risk. Lt Gen Letsoela also pointed out that there were cautions of life casualties with the ultimate aim to arrest.
He however told the court that he fails to understand what happened at the scene. Lt Gen Letsoela stated that he does not understand who called for firing of three shorts under the conditions of a controlled operation.
The cross examination of Lt Gen Letsoela has failed to continue as it was scheduled on Friday this week. The trial could not go ahead as one of the defence lawyers Advocate Silas Ratau was not present and there was no one standing-in for him. The Court was informed that he had earlier said he has a funeral to attend but has not made any communication to any of his colleagues to stand-in for him, hence leaving his clients unrepresented.
The accused who are represented by Adv. Ratau, Litekanyo Nyakane and Haleokoe Makara, each told the court that they are not aware of the whereabouts of their legal representative. They indicated that it will not be in their best interest that the case proceeds in his absence.
The duo told the court that issues that are being discussed are intricate and they rely on him to explain to them, therefore he has to be present. They thereforerequested that the case be postponed.
Lead Prosecutor in this matter Advocate Rethabile Setlojoane indicated that he agrees with the accused that issues being discussed are complex therefore it is fair that each party is represented. He indicated that will help avoid loopholes in the future. He therefore agreedto the postponement. The matter was accordingly postponed to the 28th day of July this year.
