A 32-year-old man accused of murder told the High Court this week that he falsely confessed to the crime after being assaulted by police officers.
Mohau Matete, who stands charged with the June 5, 2022, murder of Mahali Lekhooa in Mohlakeng, Thaba-Tseka, gave sworn testimony before High Court judge, Justice ‘Maliepollo Makhetha.
Matete is accused of unlawfully causing Lekhooa’s death either by action or omission, in violation of criminal statutes.
Testifying in his defence, Matete said on the day of the alleged incident, he was travelling with a man named Mahlomola when they picked up Lekhooa and another woman.
The other woman disembarked before they reached a filling station, after which Matete and Mahlomola went to purchase beers. After returning to his home, Matete claimed Lekhooa had already alighted, and he last saw her alive.
Later that evening, Matete said he received a phone call from the police instructing him to report to the station. Unable to find a taxi, he walked there, where he was questioned about Lekhooa’s whereabouts. He said he told police she had been dropped off at her home.
According to Matete, officers then informed him that Lekhooa’s body had been found at the morgue and accused him of lying. He alleged they assaulted him using a knobkerrie, iron rod, and kicks, causing him to lose consciousness. He said he later woke up in a dark room inside the station.
The following day, Matete said he was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where officers tied his hands, beat him again, and placed a plastic bag over his head. He claimed they told him to “move his waist” if he was ready to talk. Fearing for his life, he said, he confessed falsely to killing Lekhooa.
After the confession, he was taken to a cell. On the way, he said a police officer showed him a knife allegedly found at the scene. Matete said he denied recognising it or killing anyone. The officer then threatened to return him to the CID for further assault if he continued to deny involvement.
Matete was then locked up in a holding cell.
The trial continues.
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).
