LAW & COURTS
By Tholoana Lesenya · Maseru
Lesotho’s High Court has witnessed a tense and detailed cross-examination of witness ‘Maesiah Thabane in the ongoing bombing trial of former army commander Tlali Kamoli and his co-accused.
The case, Rex vs Kamoli and 4 Others, is linked to a series of explosions that shook Maseru in 2014, during a period of serious political and security instability. The trial has drawn significant public interest owing to the high-profile nature of the accused and the gravity of the charges before the court.
Advocate Letuka Molati, representing one of the accused, led the cross-examination of ‘Maesiah Thabane during the latest proceedings. The questioning focused on testing the reliability of her earlier testimony, with the defence probing for inconsistencies and gaps in her account of events.
Molati questioned the witness at length, revisiting statements she had previously made in court and comparing them with other evidence presented. At several points the exchanges became intense, as Molati pressed for clear answers on specific details.
The court heard questions relating to timelines, conversations, and actions allegedly taken around the time of the bombings. The defence sought to highlight areas where the witness may have been uncertain or where her recollection appeared unclear.
“Despite the pressure, ‘Maesiah Thabane stood by her testimony, maintaining her version of events even as the defence challenged her credibility.”
Rex vs Kamoli and 4 Others · High Court of Lesotho
Her composure during the cross-examination was notable. She continued to answer questions without major contradictions being immediately apparent in open court.
Prosecutors are working to piece together a clear account of what happened during the 2014 explosions and to establish links between the incidents and the accused. Testimonies such as that of ‘Maesiah Thabane are key in building that narrative, particularly where direct evidence may be limited.
Kamoli and his co-accused have denied all charges. The defence has consistently maintained that the accused bear no responsibility for the bombings and has challenged the evidence put forward by the prosecution.
The trial continues to unfold against the backdrop of Lesotho’s unresolved reckoning with the political and security upheaval of 2014, and its outcome is expected to carry significant weight for accountability in the country’s security sector.
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