One of the men accused in the high-profile killings of prominent radio personality Ralikonelo “Leqhashasha” Joki, as well as Mothibe Mothibe and Thomello Ntsane, has taken the stand to deny any involvement in the murders.
On Tuesday, Mothusi Tlelase testified in his own defence after the High Court dismissed his joint application for discharge alongside his three co-accused. Speaking before Justice Tšeliso Mokoko, Tlelase insisted he was being wrongfully implicated by state witnesses seeking to protect themselves.
Tlelase told the court that he only learned of the deaths of Mothibe and Ntsane the day after the killings, from a villager in Mokema. On the night of the fatal incident, he claimed, he had been drinking at Koro-Koro with two men, Sekhobe Maama and Rapelang Chaka, who have both testified for the prosecution.
According to Tlelase, Maama and Chaka had earlier sold a firearm to his co-accused, Sootho Liphoto. He alleged that the pair implicated him falsely to “impress the police” and distance themselves from blame. “They testified as accomplice witnesses and accepted liability for the killings of Mothibe and Ntsane,” he said.
He further accused another key witness, Teboho Kumi, of providing false evidence against him. Kumi testified that he had transported the alleged killers of Joki on the night of the radio personality’s death. Tlelase argued that Kumi’s testimony was motivated by self-interest, suggesting Kumi believed his impounded vehicle would be released if he cooperated with investigators.
Tlelase, Liphoto, and their co-accused, Kamo Phakoe and Moabi Sesioana, face three counts of murder. Prosecutors allege that the men acted in concert to commit the killings, in violation of Section 40 (1) of the Penal Code Act No.6 of 2010, read together with Section 40 (2) and Section 26 (1) of the same Act.
The state contends that on May 14, 2023, the accused shot and killed Joki in Lower Thamae, Maseru. Six days later, on May 20, 2023, they allegedly murdered Mothibe and Ntsane in Mokema.
Section 40 (1) of the Penal Code states that any person who performs an unlawful act with the intention of causing death is guilty of murder if death results from that act. Section 40 (2) prescribes the death penalty for those convicted. Section 26 (1) provides that when two or more people share a common purpose to commit an unlawful act, and in pursuing it an offence is committed, all are deemed to have committed that offence.
The prosecution is led by Advocate Christopher Lephuthing, while the defence is headed by Advocate Lepeli Molapo. The case, which has gripped the nation due to Joki’s prominence and the shocking nature of the killings, continues in the High Court. Further testimony from the accused and closing arguments are expected.
