MASERU
Labour and Employment Minister, Tšeliso Mokhosi took a stand to give his evidence in Maaparankoe Mahao murder trial. Mokhosi said as the minister his duty was to see that the army receives funds food and other things they need.
“We worked well together with the late Lt Gen Khoantle Motšomotšo. I would receive weekly verbal reports from the late Lt Gen Motšomotšo about the army activities”, said Mokhosi. He said even though he may not remember the dates well but Motšomotšo came to him and reported that there was mutiny in the army.
He said investigations were started and a month before Mahao’s death, former Lesotho Defence Force Commander Tlali Kamoli took over office. He stated that after the investigations were completed, a group of soldiers were arrested.
“I cannot recall the dates well but I received a report that one of the soldiers who was going to be arrested was found in a car at his home. When he saw the Soldiers he ran into his house and locked himself inside”, said Mokhosi
He said he was told that the soldiers surrounded the house but the accused open the window and escaped and those soldiers let him go. Mokhosi said, “There was a day on which Kamoli called me and told me that soldiers went to arrest Mahao. He told me that those soldiers met Mahao along the way and they tried to stop and arrest him but Mahao at one point pulled out his gun to cock it.”
Mokhosi said Kamoli told him that the soldiers then shot Mahao on the shoulder as to disable. He said the report stated that Mahao was taken to Hospital and was still alive when they arrived. He said Kamoli reported to him that Mahao was supported from the vehicle into the hospital but he was still alive.
Mokhosi said Kamoli called him after an hour telling him that Mahao had lost his life. He said he never knew there was going to be an arrest and never knew of the operational plan from Motšomotšo as that is the army duty and does not involve the minister.
The accused lawyer Attorney Qhalehang Letsika and Advocate Napo Mafaesa put to Mokhosi that he was convinced that there was mutiny in the army hence him signing certain documents to enable the establishment of the Court Marshal.
Mokhosi was asked if he was informed of the involvement of certain politicians in mutiny. “ I stopped those reports from on set , told them not to report about such, army issues should never be politicised,” said Mokhosi.
This case is before Judge Charles Hungwe. The crown Advocates are Advocate Rethabile Setlojoane and Advocate Lehlohonolo Phooko while the defence consists of Attorney Qhalehang Letsika, Advocate Letuka Molati, Advocate Silas Ratau, Advocate Napo Mafaesa and Advocate Kabelo Letuka.
