MASERU-Retired Colonel Tanki Mothae, the first witness in an ongoing treason trial against former Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, the current Minister of Health Selibe Mochoboroane, Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) leader Mothetjoa Metsing and three other members of LDF completed his testimony.
Mothae said he was in Botswana when two major generals, Ntlele Ntoi and Tumo Lekhooa paid him a visit. He stated that the two gentlemen told him that they were there on their own, they were somewhere in Pretoria and saw it fit for them to pay him a visit since they were already close.
He continued to say the two gentlemen told him that there were people being trained at Sethaleng sa Mopapa. Furthermore, there is going to be a march whereby those civilians are going to be armed by the police to kill those who take part in the march. He said he could sense that there was no good relationship between the army and the then government.
Additionally, he said he asked Ntoi and Lekhooa who had send them and they said they were there on their own but he could sense that this was a sensitive and dangerous matter and it cannot be an idea of only two majors. Mothae said he advised the two gentlemen to approach the then P.S Sehloho but their reply was that they do not trust Sehloho.
Moving on, Mothae said the two Majors gave him a cellular phone number of Metsing and said he should call him, he will explain everything they had told him more clearly so he could understand better. “I got the number but I did not call it because I had no reason to do so,” said Mothae.
Moreover, Mothae indicated that after his meeting with the two Majors, he called Sehloho to inform him about this visit. He said after their discussion about the visit, Sehloho told him that he will send a delegation to his office in Botswana to get the report on that matter.
Sometime after his discussion with the P.S, Mothae said he was requested by the then Prime Minister Thomas Thabana to come and talk to both Army Commander Kamoli and Police Commissioner Tšooana about their differences especially handing over of the army members to the police for committing several crimes.
According to Mothae Kamoli was willing to hand over members of the army to the police, but as commander he was obligated to protect these officers and he needed assurance they will return unharmed by the police.
At the end Mothae concluded that he met with Tšooana about the forehand information from Kamoli. He said Tšooana shared the same sentiments as Kamoli, and assured that the soldiers will be safe. This case is before Justice ‘Maliepollo Makhetha.
