MASERU-The 37th witness in the murder trial of Maaparankoe Mahao, Mahao Leuta Mahao who is the deceased nephew has told the court this week that his uncle was shot without any warning on the 25th day of June 2015.
He indicated that gunshots were fired at a truck in which he was travelling in with his cousin Mabilikoe Leuta Mahao and the deceased. Mahao showed that this was after a white double cab had overtaken their truck, entered their lane and suddenly stopped in front of their truck, forcing his uncle to make a violent stop as he was driving the truck.
The witness gave evidence that three men came out of the other vehicle and turned their rifles on them. He said while he and his cousin raised their hands, the deceased kept both his hands on the steering wheel. He added that then another vehicle arrived and stopped on the side of the deceased and gunshots were fired with rapid succession.
Mahao informed the court that the deceased tried to crawl out of the truck while he and his cousin were already out. He indicated that the head of the deceased popped out of the truck, then he lost strength and became motionless. He stated that the deceased fell on the ground with his face down.
Advocate Kabelo Letuka, one of the defence lawyers in this trial, has told the court that an unfortunate event in which Maaparankoe lost his life was taken advantage of.He said this during cross-examination of Mahao’s nephew.
Adv. Letuka indicated that the prosecution has handled the case in an unfortunate manner. He added that some people took advantage of the incident in which a person lost his life. He pointed out that there is a differentcharge in the indictment which states that the accused contravened section 31 (1) of the Penal Code Act which relates to aggravated assault. He said it is alleged that they fired rifles inside a vehicle in which the witness was a passenger and resulted in him sustaining injuries on his face.
