MASERU
A new chapter has unfolded in the long-running murder trial of Police Constable (PC) Mokalekale Khetheng this week, as Retired Superintendent Thabo Tšukulu, one of the accused, took the stand once more to give his side of the story.
Speaking calmly but firmly before the High Court, Tšukulutold the court that Khetheng was never brought before him after being arrested and taken to the Hlotse Police Station in March 2016.
At that time, Tšukulu was the Officer Commanding the HlotsePolice Station while also acting as the District Commissioner of Police for Leribe.
His testimony, delivered with a tone of control and accuracy, sought to distance himself from the controversial events surrounding Khetheng’s disappearance and death, a case that has shaken public trust in the police force.
“When Constable Khetheng was brought to Hlotse Police Station, he was not brought to me,” Tšukulu said clearly.
“I never saw him on that day.”
He explained that earlier that day, he had received a call from a Senior Superintendent Makara, who was the District Commissioner of Police in Mokhotlong.
Makara informed him that one of his officers, Constable Khetheng, had not been reporting for duty. Concerned about the matter, Makara asked Tšukulu to locate Khetheng and connect him over the phone so that he could urge him to return to work.
“I then instructed Inspector Mofolo to look for Constable Khetheng at Sebothoane, where he stayed, so that he could be brought to me,” Tšukulu told the court.
“I wanted to put him in touch with his superior in Mokhotlongso that they could talk directly.”
He went on to testify that during his lunch break, he received a call from Inspector Mofolo who informed him that they had indeed found Khetheng and that the police had brought him to the station.
Tšukulu said he instructed them to wait until he returned from lunch, but when he came back, he never saw Khetheng.
“I gave an order that they should wait for me,” he said.
“But when I returned, no one brought Khetheng to my office. I never saw him.”
Constable Khetheng was last seen being arrested by fellow police officers at a public gathering in Sebothoane, Leribe, in March 2016. His family and colleagues searched for him for months before his body was discovered buried at LeperengCemetery in Maseru.
His death led to the arrest of several police officers, including Tšukulu, who now stand accused of his murder.
Throughout his testimony, Tšukulu sought to clarify his role and denied any direct involvement in the handling of Khetheng after his arrest. His version of events suggests that responsibility for what happened next lay with the officers who had taken Khetheng into custody that day.
He said he was surprised to later learn that Khetheng had disappeared while under police care.
“I was shocked when I heard that Khetheng was missing,” he told the court.
“As far as I knew, he had been found and was supposed to speak with his superior. After that, I never saw him again.”
During earlier sessions, other witnesses testified that Khetheng was indeed taken to Hlotse Police Station but was later removed under unclear circumstances.
The Khetheng murder case has become one of the most closely watched trials in Lesotho’s justice system.
As proceedings continue, Retired Superintendent Tšukulu is expected to face further cross-examination as the Crown probes inconsistencies and attempts to link him to the events surrounding Khetheng’s disappearance.
For now, his testimony remains firm and unwavering, as he maintains he never saw Constable Khetheng alive, never ordered his detention and never received him at the HlotsePolice Station that day.
“I only know what I was told,” he said in closing.
“Khetheng was found, but he was never brought to me. I had no contact with him at all.”
