LTDC CEO charged with two counts of attempted murder

Mohloai Mpesi

The embattled chief executive officer (CEO) of the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) Dr Retšelisitsoe Nko has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Nko was summoned to the Maseru magistrate court last Friday and was brought to court on a stretcher. He appeared in court again last Tuesday.

He was involved in a shootout that happened at Hills view in Maseru on December 27, 2022.

Following the incident, he was suspended from LTDC pending ongoing investigations.

According to the charge sheet, he stands accused of contravening the provisions of section 22 read with 109 of Penal Code Act No6 of 2010 (attempted murder).

“In that upon or about December 27, 2022, at or near Hills view in the district of Maseru, the said accused did unlawfully and intentionally shoot one Thato Mothepu on his leg and inflicted upon him serious physical injury and thus committed an offence of attempted murder,” reads the charge sheet

It also states that: “In that upon or about December 27, 2022, and at or near Hills view in the district of Maseru, the said accused did unlawfully and intentionally shoot at one Sethole Mothepu, however, missed him and thus committed an offence of attempted murder,” the charge sheet read.

Nko was also charged with unlawful damage of property, going armed in public, and provoking public violence.

“In that upon or about December 27, 2022, and at or near Hills View in the district of Maseru, the said accused did unlawfully and intentionally shoot the walls of the house of one Moliko Mothepu with the intention of damaging them and thus committed the offence of unlawful damage of property,” read the charge sheet.

It added: “The accused is charged with contravening the provisions of section 83 read with 109 Penal code Act No.6 of 2010 (going armed in public). In that upon or about December 27, 2022, and at or near Hills View in Maseru district, the said accused did unlawfully and intentionally and in such a manner as to cause terror to any person went out in public armed with a gun to wit; 9mm Pistol, Serial number BTLV549.

“That the said accused is charged with contravening provisions of section 85 read with 109 of Penal Code Act No.6 of 2010 in that upon or about December 27, 2022, and or near Hills view in Maseru district, the said accused did unlawfully and intentionally and at a public place conducted or act in such a manner that is likely or probable consequence of which under the circumstances would lead to public violence. To wit; shooting around, spinning a bike and causing dust.”

The matter proceeded in Magistrate Thamae Thamae’s chambers on Tuesday this week. The media was denied entry into the chambers.

The case has been postponed to February 2023.