A Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) soldier on Monday sought to distance former army commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli from criminal responsibility in the 2015 killing of Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao, telling the High Court that Kamoli was on leave when the fatal operation was carried out.
Sergeant Lekhooa Moepi, one of the nine soldiers charged with Mahao’s murder, maintained under cross-examination that Kamoli neither authorised nor participated in the operation because he had temporarily relinquished command of the army.
The marathon trial was later postponed to July 13, 2026, for further hearing.
“The court is adjourned until 13 July 2026 for further hearing on this matter,” Justice Charles Hugwe ruled after the prosecution concluded its cross-examination of Moepi, led by Advocate Rethabile Setlojane.
Kamoli, who is Accused No. 9 in the trial, is charged alongside Captains Litekanyo Nyakane and Haleo Makara, Sergeant Motsamai Fako, and Corporals Marasi ‘Moleli, Motšoane Machai, Mohlalefi Seitlheko and Tšitso Ramoholi over Mahao’s killing on June 25, 2015.
The court has already heard evidence that Captain Haleo Makara fired the fatal shots that killed Mahao.
During cross-examination, Moepi repeatedly insisted that command of the LDF had passed to Lieutenant General Khoantle Motšomotšo because Kamoli was on leave at the time.
According to Moepi, Motšomotšo, assisted by then deputy commander Major General Lineo Poopa, authorised the operation to arrest Mahao and several other soldiers over alleged mutiny charges.
“The operation was sanctioned by the then army commander, Lt-Gen Motšomotšo, and his second-in-command, Major General Lineo Poopa. Accused No. 9 (Kamoli) was absent on leave,” Moepi testified.
His evidence appeared aimed at distancing Kamoli from the chain of command that authorised the operation, despite Kamoli facing prosecution in his capacity as the substantive LDF commander.
Moepi further maintained that the intention was to arrest Mahao—not to kill him.
“Had he stopped voluntarily and not shown signs of fighting back and resisting arrest, Brigadier Mahao would still be alive,” he told the court.
He testified that Mahao ignored signals from Captain Tefo Hashatsi to stop his vehicle and instead allegedly drew a 9mm pistol while confronting an eight-member armed military team carrying AK-47 rifles.
However, prosecutor Setlojane challenged the legality of the entire operation, arguing that the alleged mutiny charges were fabricated and that junior-ranking soldiers had no lawful authority to arrest Mahao, who outranked them.
“That operation was unlawful. In fact, there were no mutiny charges in the first place,” Setlojane argued.
He referred the court to earlier testimony by the current LDF commander, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, who testified as Prosecution Witness No. 38 that the alleged mutiny case collapsed for lack of prosecution.
Setlojane reminded the court that Letsoela had testified the charges appeared to have been manufactured because the reports were substantially identical and appeared to have been drafted by a single individual.
“No soldiers or officers were ever court-martialled on the alleged mutiny charges,” Setlojane submitted.
Despite the challenge, Moepi maintained that the operation was lawful because it had been authorised by Motšomotšo and Poopa, adding that other soldiers, including Lance Corporals Moteng and Makhabane, had also been arrested over the same alleged mutiny.
Motšomotšo was himself killed by rogue soldiers on September 5, 2017.
Kamoli has remained in custody since his arrest in 2017 while awaiting trial.
Mahao was appointed LDF commander on August 29, 2014, by then Prime Minister Motsoahae Thomas Thabane with the approval of King Letsie III. His appointment was intended to replace Kamoli, who refused to vacate office after being dismissed for insubordination.
The prosecution alleges Mahao’s killing was unlawful, while the defence maintains he was shot after resisting arrest.
The trial continues before Zimbabwean judge Justice Charles Hugwe and is among the few High Court matters proceeding during the court’s winter recess.
Summary
- A Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) soldier on Monday sought to distance former army commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli from criminal responsibility in the 2015 killing of Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao, telling the High Court that Kamoli was on leave when the fatal operation was carried out.
- His evidence appeared aimed at distancing Kamoli from the chain of command that authorised the operation, despite Kamoli facing prosecution in his capacity as the substantive LDF commander.
- Despite the challenge, Moepi maintained that the operation was lawful because it had been authorised by Motšomotšo and Poopa, adding that other soldiers, including Lance Corporals Moteng and Makhabane, had also been arrested over the same alleged mutiny.
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.
