THE alleged gunman accused of the murder of a military officer and a street vendor who were gunned down in the 2017 shoot-out at the Maseru Border Gate will return to court on January 26 to defend himself.

An eye witness told the High Court in November when the marathon trial adjourned for the Christmas holiday that he saw Motlatsi Rantaoana have an animated quarrel with the soldier before he shot him dead.

Lekhahla Lenka said earlier on May 13, 2017, he saw the late Private Katleho Seliane attempting to search the accused, Rantaoana.

At the time, Lenka did not know the identity of the two men.

The court had earlier in November issued a warrant for Lenka’s arrest after he failed to respond to its summons.

But the order was later cancelled after Lenka explained why he could not make it to court on time the previous day.

Rantaoana who is believed to be part of a notorious famo gang is charged with two counts of murder.

He is alleged to have gunned down Seliane and Moiketsi Makhabane who was a street vendor at the border.

Another soldier, Private Halekhethe Nkonyana sustained serious gunshot wounds during the shooting incident that ensued.

Rantaoana also faces charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm - a 7.65mm pistol believed to be the murder weapon.

After the fatal shooting, the Maseru police arrested Rantaoana along with his five companions, including Lekhoele Noko, Molise Phakela, Khothatso Makibinyane, Molise Motaung, and Tello Thoi. 

The police later released the five men after they could not be linked to the shooting.  

But Rantaoana was detained and later remanded in custody for the murder.  

In his testimony, Lenka said during the heated argument that he witnessed between Seliane and Rantaoana, Nkonyana tried to intervene, but Seliane was “too hostile to listen”.