A senior police officer says prior to his arrest and subsequent murder, Police Constable Mokalekale Khetheng was wanted for arson by the Leribe police.

Senior Inspector 'Mabohlokoa Makotoko was on Thursday morning testifying in the High Court as the second witness in a case in which four other police officers are accused of the murder of Khetheng.

Khetheng who was at the time of his disappearance stationed in Mokhotlong was eventually arrested on March 26, 2026 and was thereafter never seen alive again.

Senior Superintendent Thabo Tšukulu along with Mabitle Matona, Mothibeli Mofolo and Haleokoe Taasoane are charged with his murder.

The four are also accused of perjury and defeating ends of justice.

Makotoko who was at the material time based at the Hlotse Police Station in Leribe told the court on Thursday that sometime in March 2016, she learnt that some of her colleagues were searching for Khetheng.

“The following day, a meeting was held at the station in connection with Khetheng’s case,” she testified.

The court also heard how the meeting which was chaired by Mofolo was told that if seen anywhere, Khetheng should be arrested as he was wanted on arson charges.

Makotoko said she part of a police team that went to Khetheng’s home village in Sebothoane, Leribe to look for him but never found him.