On January 22, the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) Facebook page posted an update about a long-dormant case involving Neo ‘Tinti’ Nku, a 24-year-old resident of Khotsise, Berea. According to the post, Neo appeared before Magistrate Moerane at the Berea Magistrate’s Court on January 20, facing a charge of murder, with Prosecutor Lekhotla representing the state. However, questions have arisen about the handling of the case, particularly why it has resurfaced after nearly a decade.
In 2015, when Neo was just 15 years old, he was involved in a fatal altercation with a 16-year-old boy from Ha Potjo, Berea. According to Detective Police Constable (D/P/C) Khotso Tlali from the Criminal Investigations Office in Mapoteng, the two boys had a history of disputes, with the victim allegedly provoking Neo on multiple occasions. On the day of the incident, the victim reportedly mocked Neo, questioning his maturity. In response, Neo struck him on the head with a stick. The victim was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Neo was taken into custody and, as a minor, was released into his parents’ care. He claims that he never appeared in court at the time. Instead, an agreement was allegedly reached between both families in the presence of the police, in which Neo’s family took responsibility for the burial expenses, and the matter was considered resolved. Lesotho’s legal system requires that minors accused of crimes make an initial court appearance, where bail is addressed. However, this does not appear to have been the case for Neo, raising further questions about the judicial process.
For years, Neo lived a normal life, working and believing the matter had been settled. However, he alleges that police officers in Mapoteng repeatedly approached him, demanding bribes in exchange for keeping the case closed. Feeling pressured, he complied. His troubles resurfaced when his phone was stolen. When he reported the theft, an officer allegedly blackmailed him, suggesting that his old case could be reopened. Frustrated, Neo told the officer to go ahead and the case was indeed reopened ten years later.
On January 20, 2025, Neo appeared before the Berea Magistrate’s Court. Then, on February 4, he was taken to the High Court, where he was granted bail of M1,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 5. However, the LMPS Facebook post does not clarify whether Neo had originally appeared before a magistrate in 2015. If he had, where is the record? If he had not, why was the case only being pursued now?
A critical concern in this case is whether Neo is being prosecuted twice for the same crime, raising the issue of double jeopardy. If he was formally charged in 2015, why is he facing the same charges again in 2025? The inconsistency in the handling of his case has sparked public debate about legal oversight, police accountability, and the integrity of Lesotho’s justice system.
As Neo awaits his next court appearance, the case continues to raise concerns about due process and the fairness of the legal system, leaving many wondering whether justice is being served—or manipulated.
Relebohile Makhetha is a court and crime reporter based in Maseru. She has been working at Newsday since 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Communication from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (2024) and a Diploma in Mass Communication from the National University of Lesotho (Institute of Extra-Mural Studies, 2018).
