The High Court, presided over by Justice Charles Hungwe, this week heard a chilling testimony in the ongoing trial of former army commander Tlali Kamoli and his co-accused Pitso Ramoepana, Litekanyo Nyakane, Heqoa Malefane, and Mohlalefi Seitlheko.
The accused face multiple charges, including attempted murder and malicious damage to property, stemming from a 2014 bombing incident at the home of the then Police Commissioner, Khothatso Tšooana.
On Wednesday this week, Thato Selialia, a 30-year-old woman from Marabeng in the Berea district, took the witness stand to recount the terrifying events of the night of 26 January 2014.
At the time, she was residing at the Ha-Abia, Tšieng at Tšooana’s residence along with her sister ‘Mapalesa Tšooana, domestic worker ‘Mamosebatho Ralijo, and other family members.
Detailing the events of that night, Selialia told the court that she had gone to bed earlier than the others. Around midnight, she experienced stomach discomfort and asked Rethabile Selialia to accompany her to the outdoor toilet. While returning, Rethabile mentioned seeing a human shadow pass near a tree.
Soon after, she testified that a loud noise echoed through the house, so powerful she initially mistook it for thunder.
Later that night, Selialia overheard Tšooana and his wife whispering in the corridor. She rose to investigate but found nothing suspicious and returned to bed.
According to her testimony, it was around 5:00 a.m. when Thuto, one of the children in the household, woke them up to inspect his room. There, they discovered that part of the plaster wall had collapsed onto the bed. Alarmed, the family went outside and saw two large craters and damage to the roof of the house.
Selialia further testified that after they heard the bombing sound, Mapalesa informed them that Tšooana had received a telephone call from the then First Lady, ‘Maesaiah Thabane, who reported a similar bombing incident at her own residence, prompting him to depart immediately.
Tšooana later returned home, followed by police officers who commenced their investigation. Several prominent individuals also arrived at the scene, Selialia told the court.
The witness further described the scene outside the home, where they discovered that a neighbour’s vehicle parked next to Thuto’s room had been damaged with multiple holes. Reabetsoe, one of Tšooana’s children, called them to a nearby yard to observe something unusual.
Selialia recalled seeing a round object marked with numbers, which she recognised from watching films.
“I watch movies and I see bombs in them, now I saw it live,” she said.
She told the court that forensic experts soon arrived and carefully removed the device, which had not yet detonated.
The trial continues before Justice Hungwe as more witnesses are expected to testify in the coming days.
The case is one of several involving former members of the Lesotho Defence Force, as the judiciary continues to address past incidents of political violence and instability in the country.
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).
