The long-stalled trial of former Lesotho Defence Force Commander Tlali Kamoli and four co-accused over the bombing of a former police commissioner’s residence has resumed, with the second state witness offering testimony that directly contradicts earlier evidence from a fellow soldier.
- Says Moleleki reported that senior LDF officers were visiting Liabiloe’s residence
- Assigned Moleleki to confirm this through surveillance
- Says Moleleki was dismissed after Liabiloe allegedly exposed her cover
- Heard reports of bombings in Moshoeshoe 2 and Ha-Abia on radio
- Denies ever reporting that senior officers visited Liabiloe’s residence
- Denies attending Liabiloe’s home for any work purpose
- Says she visited coincidentally, accompanying a mutual friend, ‘Mampe
- Says she did not know she was going to Liabiloe’s house until she arrived
The trial of former Lesotho Defence Force Commander Tlali Kamoli and four co-accused army members, charged in connection with the bombing of the residence of former Police Commissioner Tsooana and the woman who is now former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s wife, has resumed after dragging on for years.
The second state witness, Lieutenant Colonel Thabiso Rajane, told the court that he was the superior of Private Mpolokeng Moleleki, who was described as one of the most capable soldiers attached to Military Intelligence. Rajane said her reports were thorough and compelled careful reading because they reached deep into state security matters.
According to Rajane, information received through Moleleki’s sources pointed to frequent visits by high-ranking LDF members to the residence of Liabiloe Ramoholi, who is now known as ‘Maesiah Thabane and was at the time the wife of former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane. Rajane said he accordingly assigned Moleleki to investigate and confirm whether those visits were in fact taking place.
“Private Moleleki was one of the outstanding and well performing soldiers while reporting. Her reports made one think when reading them as they dig deeper into state security.”
Lt. Col. Thabiso Rajane, second state witnessRajane testified that at some point he received a call from Moleleki saying that Liabiloe had contacted her and insulted her. He told Moleleki to come to his office and, after she arrived, he informed his superior, Major Lekhooa, of the matter. Moleleki was then called to give Major Lekhooa her account of what had happened.
Major Lekhooa informed them that the matter would be looked into, and Moleleki was subsequently dismissed. Rajane said Moleleki believed her cover had been blown by soldiers who were serving as bodyguards for Thomas Thabane and who knew her personally. Lekhooa then instructed Rajane to question those soldiers, but their responses were unrelated to the matter.
Rajane further told the court that he was at home when he learnt through a radio station that bombings had taken place in different areas of Maseru. He said he heard that incidents had occurred in Moshoeshoe 2 and Ha-Abia, though he could not recall the exact station from which he received that information.
Moleleki, now a Warrant Officer, gave an account that diverged sharply from Rajane’s testimony. In her evidence in chief, she denied ever making any report about senior army officers visiting Liabiloe’s residence. She also denied attending Liabiloe’s home at Moshoeshoe 2 for any work-related purpose.
Moleleki told the court that she had no prior knowledge that she would end up at Moshoeshoe 2 that day. She said she had been visiting ‘Mampe, a mutual friend she and Liabiloe shared, and that while she was in a vehicle, ‘Mampe called and asked her to wait at the Moshoeshoe 2 stop known as Masoleng because she was on her way there and they could travel together.
‘Mampe arrived as arranged, and together they went to a house where Moleleki said she only realised it was Liabiloe’s residence once they entered and she saw Liabiloe inside. She said ‘Mampe had come to help with cooking, and when they arrived ‘Mampe proceeded to do so. Moleleki offered to help but was told to sit down.
Later, visitors arrived including former Prime Minister Thabane. Moleleki said his arrival made her uncomfortable and she indicated to ‘Mampe that they should leave, and they did.
Warrant Officer Moleleki told the court that she had been to Liabiloe’s residence on only two occasions. The first was at Ha-Mabote, when she needed a document relating to coalition government that had been requested from the office of Thabo Thakalekoala, who declined to provide it. She approached ‘Mampe and asked her to arrange a meeting with Liabiloe. ‘Mampe contacted Liabiloe, who invited them to her home in Ha-Mabote. Upon their arrival, Moleleki explained what she needed and Liabiloe contacted Thakalekoala. The document was delivered the following day.
The second occasion, Moleleki confirmed, was the visit to Moshoeshoe 2 that she had not anticipated when she set out that day.
“`
