MASERU – A high ranking military officer who was accused of the murder of former army commander Lieutenant General Khoantle Motšomotšo was on Monday discharged after the High Court withdrew charges against him.
news
Dec. 10, 2019
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
Ramoepana freed
SC Shaun Abrahams for the Crown
Major Pitso Ramoepana was alleged to have played a key role in the murder of Gen Motšomotšo on September 5, 2017, at the Ratjomose Military barracks in Maseru.
The decision to withdraw charges against Major Ramoepana followed a sudden application by the prosecution to release him and institute an inquest to establish how the slain commander was really killed.
Senior Counsel Shaun Abrahams, who is a South African lawyer and the former national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), represents the Crown in the matter.
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King’s Counsel Karabo Mohau is Major Ramoepana’s lawyer.
Handing down the ruling, acting judge Dr Onkemetse Tshosa said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had the right to withdraw charges before an accused person pleaded, adding the right was practicable for any charge.
Dr Tshosa said this was notwithstanding that the defence had argued that the prosecution was being unfair by not giving Major Ramoepane a chance to plead.
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