Shots fired in Kamoli, Motlomelo war of words

Lesotho’s self-taught mechanic and vehicle manufacturer, Motlomelo Elias Motlomelo, has sharply hit back at the former Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Commander, Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, alleging he is a liar and a killer.

Motlomelo, who surprisingly introduced himself as an honorary doctor at a media conference he convened at Mookoli (Motimposo) in Maseru on Tuesday, hit back at the retired army general just one day after Kamoli testified before the High Court, alleging Motlomelo was an insurgent.

On Monday, Kamoli told the court that Motlomelo still had in his possession a rifle belonging to the LDF. Kamoli further testified that Motlomelo was one of the suspected criminals who committed acts of insurgency in Lesotho between 2007 and 2009.

According to Kamoli, Motlomelo and others had managed to disarm members of the LDF, in particular soldiers placed as guards at cabinet ministers’ residences and at road checkpoints.

During these attacks on the army, Kamoli added, Motlomelo and his group seized army equipment that included war rifles, an armoured car, and a Land Rover.

Kamoli said they had investigated the insurgency acts in a joint operation by the army, the police, and the NSS, and had hunted down the suspects.

“We managed to confiscate back the army equipment, but the rifle belonging to Motlomelo was never recovered. It is still with him,” Kamoli said.

Besides Motlomelo, Kamoli named other insurgents as Thabiso Mahase (the spouse of Justice ‘Maseforo Mahase), Warrant Officer Lerotholi (commonly known as Mashai), and Letšolo of Koro-Koro.

Motlomelo fires back

But in a packed press conference, Motlomelo shot down Kamoli’s claims, branding him a liar and a killer.

“I watched the court proceedings on the internet and heard when Lt-Gen Tlali Kamoli said there is a rifle belonging to the army that is still in my possession. He is a liar and a killer himself. I only have a gun that is authorised by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service. If I had the army’s rifle, why would Kamoli not instruct his soldiers to come and get it from me? I don’t like him. He should stop dragging my name into acts of crime,” Motlomelo said.

Motlomelo also claimed that he was once tortured by Kamoli and his soldiers.

“They attempted to kill me in 2007,” he said.

He added that he had worked hard to build his name over the years.

“Kamoli cannot just ruin my integrity. I am known all over the world for my wonderful work as an exceptional mechanic with skills to manufacture vehicles. Television crews from across the world have come here to interview me,” he said.

Honorary doctorate announcement

Motlomelo, who wore his graduation gown when he addressed the media on Tuesday, also took the opportunity to announce that he had been conferred with an honorary doctorate certificate for his mechanical work by an institution from America.

The Founder of Tlome Auto Style Motors, Motlomelo initially started a panel-beating workshop for accident-damaged cars, but this ultimately led him to car manufacturing after he discovered he could rebuild cars from stripped-down parts.

Kamoli’s trial continues

Meanwhile, Kamoli is standing trial alongside four other army members, Sergeant Pitso Ramoepana, Second Lieutenant Litekanyo Nyakane, Corporal Heqoa Malefane, and Lance Corporal Mohlalefi Seitlheko, who all face charges of attempted murder and malicious damage to property for the explosive attacks on the homes of Liabiloe Ramoholi (the former First Lady ‘Maesaiah Thabane, wife of former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane) in Moshoeshoe II, and former Police Commissioner Khothatso Tšooana in Ha-Abia.

Kamoli also faces an additional charge of obstruction of justice. He has remained in remand prison since his arrest in October 2017.

On Tuesday, he told the court that he had already celebrated nine Christmases behind bars.

“And if this case cannot be finalised this year, I would celebrate the tenth Christmas in remand prison,” he said.

Lekhetho Makhanya

I am a journalist based in Maseru, Lesotho, renowned for investigative reporting. Over the years, my work has been published both locally and internationally, including in South Africa through the Amabhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism and the Daily Maverick, among other publications.

In Lesotho, I have served as a senior reporter for several leading weekly newspapers, including the Lesotho Times, Public Eye, and Sunday Express. My reporting has focused on uncovering issues of public interest, promoting accountability, and giving voice to underreported stories.

In 2016, I co-founded the MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism in Maseru, an initiative dedicated to strengthening investigative journalism and fostering a culture of transparency and public-interest reporting in Lesotho.