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Jan. 17, 2022

OWN CORRESPONDENT

2 min read

Sakoane wants abusive cops arrested

Sakoane wants abusive cops arrested

Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane

Story highlights

    Police allegedly tortured a defence lawyer
    Another defence lawyer has gone into hiding for fear of the police

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CHIEF Justice Sakoane Sakoane who is presiding over a treason case against a senior political leader and four members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) says police officers who allegedly tortured the lawyer representing some of the accused should be held accountable.

This, after the High Court was on Friday informed by another defence lawyer, King’s Counsel Motiea Teele that Advocate Napo Mafaesa was not before court because he reported ill after he tortured by police.

The court also learnt that another lawyer, Adv Kabelo Letuka who was also involved in the case had gone into hiding due to the intimidations he was receiving from the same police.

The judge said the police officers implicated in the assault should be slapped with charges of aggravated assault.

He said the conduct of the officers who were the agents of the state, had affected the trial as the lawyers were now afraid of returning to court.

“I cannot have an officer of the court being tortured by the police, the court pronounced itself years ago on the abuse of the officers of the law by the police,” he said.
He said the police officers involved should be arrested and accordingly prosecuted.

The accused include the Minister of Development Planning who is also leader of Movement for Economic Change (MEC), Selibe Mochoboroane together with the former army boss, Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli and Litekanyo Nyakane, Motloheloa Ntsane along with Leutsoa Motsieloa.

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They are accused of murder, attempted murder, risk to injury or death and aggravated assault.

The charges have already been read to the accused and they are yet to plead.
The accused were initially charged together with former Deputy Prime Minister who is also the leader of Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Mothetjoa Metsing.

Metsing became a fugitive last when he evaded a court appearance and he remains at large. LeNA

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