MASERU
The High Court has heard shocking testimony that suspects linked to the killing of Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Commander, Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao, were only released to the police two years after his death.
On Thursday, Retired Inspector Lebohang Motanya took the stand in the ongoing trial of nine soldiers accused of murdering General Mahao.
He told the court that police investigations identified the suspects as early as June 2015, but the army kept them out of reach until late 2017.
Motanya explained that shortly after Mahao’s death in June 2015, he was part of a police team tasked with investigating the case. Their work quickly uncovered information pointing to eight members of the LDF as being directly involved in the killing.
The police then requested that their superiors write formally to the army, asking that the suspects be handed over to face questioning. But for more than two years, there was no cooperation from the LDF.
According to Motanya, it was only on November 27, 2017, that a breakthrough finally came. On that day, Captain Maanela of the Military Police escorted four soldiers to the police. The soldiers were identified as Captain Haleeo Makara, Sergeant Motsamai Fako, Corporal Marasi ‘Moleli and Corporal Tšitso Ramoholi.
The retired inspector told the court that after proper introductions and cautioning, the suspects were interviewed and later charged with murder.
Motanya further testified that four other soldiers, Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Sergeant Lekhooa Moepi, Corporal Motšoane Machae and Corporal Mohlalefi Seitlheko were already behind bars in the custody of the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) on unrelated cases. They too were charged with Mahao’s murder directly from prison on November 29, 2017.
The trial, which involves nine accused soldiers including Army Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, is still ongoing. All accused face charges related to Mahao’s death.
