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Dec. 14, 2020

THANDIE MTHIMKHULU

3 min read

Lawyer asks to address court on extenuation

Lawyer asks to address court on extenuation

The late LEC head of Internal Audit Thebello Nteso

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A lawyer representing the two policemen who were last week convicted of the murder of the head of the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) Internal Audit, Thibello Nteso has requested to address the High Court on extenuating factors in the case.

Advocate Lebohang Ramakhula told the court on Monday that although his clients were found guilty of the murder and maliciously damaging Mr Nteso’s vehicle, there were extenuating and mitigating circumstances established, asking the court to give him time to address it on those factors on Tuesday.

The accused include Police Constables Moeketsi Dlamini and Monaheng ’Musi.

Mr Nteso was gunned down execution style near former Police Commissioner Molahlehi Letsoepa’s residence in Maseru West on February 6, 2017.

The accused policemen were members of the police Special Operations Unit (SOU) and were on guard duties at Commissioner Letsoepa’s residence when the incident occurred.

Mr Nteso was murdered immediately after presenting preliminary findings of a forensic audit, which showed that more M170 million had been embezzled from LEC.

In their defence, the accused who pleaded not guilty claimed that they opened fire on the deceased’s car after they had noticed a firearm holder in the vehicle, which was parked near Letsoepa’s home.  

They argued that they thought the occupant of the car was planning an attack on the former commissioner’s residence.

Justice Moroke Mokhesi was on Monday hopeful that the defence will provide authorities and professional writings to inform the court better on the issue of extenuation.

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The convicts’ bail was cancelled immediately after their conviction.

Evidence before court shows that the two policemen acted in self-defence when they shot and killed Mr Nteso.  

Bu this was refuted by the prosecution which argued that the accused killed the deceased intentionally.

Initially, there were four accused in the matter including Tlala Phatela and Thaele Ramajoe who were later discharged at the close of the Crown’s case.
Advocate ’Naki Nku prosecuted.

 

 

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