MASERU-The High Court will next week continue hearing a long-running criminal case in which two senior politicians, a former army commander and several soldiers stand accused of treason and other serious offences connected to the events of August 2014.
The matter, which has drawn national attention for years because of its political and security implications, is scheduled to proceed on Monday before Justice ‘Maliepollo Makhetha.
Among those standing trial are the leader of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and former Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing, the leader of the Movement for Economic Change (MEC) who is also the current Minister of Health Selibe Mochoboroane, former army commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli and soldiers Litekanyo Nyakane, Motloheloa Ntsane and Leutsoa Motsieloa.
They face several charges and their alternatives including treason, murder, and attempted murder, risk of injury or death and aggravated assault. All the accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case stems from incidents that allegedly took place on the night of August 29 and into the early hours of August 30, 2014, when members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) allegedly launched coordinated attacks on several police installations in Maseru.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were carried out by the accused persons acting together and in furtherance of a shared purpose. The prosecution alleges that they worked together with the late Tefo Hashatsi, Bulane Sechele, Tumo Lekhooa and other persons.
The charges include the murder of Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko, a member of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), who was fatally shot during the events.
The accused are also charged with the attempted murder of Letsekang Mothibeli together with alternative counts relating to the same incident.
Additional charges relate to aggravated assault allegedly committed against several police officers including Sergeant Mahanetsa, Lance Sergeant Thabiso Kopa, Lance Sergeant Shaabe Thamae, Police Constable Mokete Litulo and Police Constable Mone.
Some of the accused face additional charges.
The counts of treason, attempted murder of Police Constable Moeketsi and alternative charges relating to risk of injury or death and aggravated assault, as well as the assault of Sub-Inspector Joel, are specifically brought against Kamoli, Nyakane, Metsing and Mochoboroane.
The prosecution alleges that the incidents formed part of coordinated attacks on police facilities and officers during the security crisis that unfolded in the country in 2014.
In recent proceedings, the court heard testimony from Lance Sergeant Shaabe Thamae, a member of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service who was present during the shooting in which Ramahloko was killed.
Thamae told the court that he was with the late Ramahloko when members of the army allegedly opened fire during an operation that he said was aimed at disarming police officers.
According to his testimony, the shooting occurred while police officers were confronted by soldiers during the operation. The witness described the circumstances under which Ramahloko was shot and the confusion that followed.
His evidence forms part of the prosecution’s attempt to reconstruct what took place that night and to establish how the fatal shooting occurred.
The court also heard evidence from Inspector Liau Seeko, a crime scene investigator who presented a photo album documenting various scenes connected to the alleged attacks.
Seeko told the court that the photographs were taken at several police facilities that were targeted during the events of 2014.
The images were compiled as part of the police investigation and were meant to illustrate the extent of damage and activity at the locations where the incidents took place.
Following his testimony, the court conducted what is known as an inspection in loco, a process in which the judge and parties visit locations relevant to the case in order to better understand the evidence.
The inspection covered several sites including the Maseru Central Charge Office, Police Headquarters, the Serious Crime Unit (SCU) offices at Pitso Ground Police Station and another police facility located at Ha Mabote.
During such visits, the court observes the layout and physical environment of the locations discussed in testimony so that it can properly assess the evidence presented by witnesses.
The trial has been closely followed due to the high-profile nature of the accused persons and the historical significance of the events connected to the case.
However, the defence team has strongly rejected the allegations brought against their clients.
Lawyers representing the accused have argued that the prosecution is using the case as a means of targeting the accused through the legal system.
According to the defence, the military operation that took place at the time was lawful and was intended to prevent violence and protect lives.
They maintain that their clients did not commit the offences alleged by the prosecution and that the evidence presented so far does not support the charges.
The defence has also insisted that the accused should not be portrayed as having acted unlawfully when the events occurred in a tense security environment.
As the trial continues, the court is expected to hear further testimony from witnesses as the prosecution seeks to strengthen its case.
The proceedings have already included evidence from law enforcement officers and investigators who were involved in responding to or investigating the incidents.
Both the prosecution and defence are expected to continue presenting arguments and evidence as the case progresses.
The accused are represented by a team of lawyers including Advocates Motiea Teele (KC), Letuka Molati, Lepeli Molapo, Kabelo Letuka and Napo Mafaesa.
The prosecution is being handled by Advocates Motene Rafoneke and Rethabile Setlojoane.
The trial continues before Justice ‘Maliepollo Makhetha when the matter returns to the High Court on Monday.
