Justice Moroke Mokhesi, High Court Judge
Maseru-The defense in a case in which some army members are charged with the murder of three men whose bodies were found in Mohale Dam has continued to present its case in a trial within trial.
After four accused represented by Attorney Qhalehang Letsika completed their evidence and closed their case, one of the two accused represented by Adv. Napo Mafaesa, Motšoane Machai, took the stand to give evidence as one of the defense witnesses.
He testified that he was arrested on September 24 2017by the Military Police. Machai said he was a work in Mohale’s hoek when he received a call from Captain Makara who informed him to report himself at Ha-Ratjose at Military Police offices. He said he obliged and reported himself on Saturday but he was told to report again on Sunday at the same office.
Machai said on Sunday he met Captain Ramahlele ho told him that he will be accompanying him to the police Headquarters where he will be helping the police with murder investigations. He said when he arrived at Police Headquarters he was taken into an office where he was questioned.
Machai said one police officer read to him what they told him was a confession he was going to do in front of a Magistrate. He stated that he told the police officers that he will not do that because he cannot commit himself to something he did not do. Machai said he was told that he stood no chance to deny anything because there are sources who confirmed that he was part of the crime curried out.
He indicated that when he refused, one police officer who seemed to be the youngest made a statement to his colleagues showing that if he does not do what they want him to he will step on a stick, which is phrase used when one has made a mistake and is being punished. Machai said he felt his life was danger at that time, also knowing what the police were known to do to suspects at that time.
Led by his lawyer Adv. Mafaesa, stated that he feared for his life and his rights were never read to him. He also indicated that he never signed anywhere when they were taken to Mohale by the police and when they came back. This case is before Justice Moroke Mokhesi and it is postponed to Monday the 28th October 2024. The defense lawyer is Adv. Motene Rafoneke.
