I LEARNED ABOUT FORMER DPM'S DEATH DURING RECOUNT OF ABDUCTION EVENTS-MOLELEKI

The Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Monyane Moleleki, says he only learned about the death of the former Deputy Prime Minister the late Selometsi Baholo, during the time when he and other cabinet ministers then, were recounting events of their abduction, at the Police Headquarters in the evening of April 14, 1994. The Minister was testifying in the High Court on Wednesday 25 Septenber,2002 at an on
going case in which 24 Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) members who were previously 25, are being charged with the murder of the late Baholo.     

He stated that, after he and former ministers, Mr Shakhane Mokhehle and Mr. Kelebone Maope had recounted events of their abduction, it was a turn of the then minister of Education, who is presently the Prime Minister Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili. He said when Mr Mosisili was in the middle of his recount, he came to a stage where he said soldiers who had abducted him and Mr Mokhehle, conversed with those whom they met next to Mr Makhotsa's place.     

Mr. Moleleki explained that, Mr Mosisili told them that their abductors were informed by soldiers from another army vehicle that they met, that they had just killed Mr Baholo, and that he (Mosisili) and Mr Mokhehle would also know them. He said it was then that he jumped and exclaimed, "what?", after which the National Security Services' (NSS) Commander, Mr Seoane confirmed. " Mr Seoane said it was true Mr Baholo was late and was at a mortuary as we were talking." he elaborated.     

He indicated that, before recounting events of their abduction, the then Commander of Police, Major General Bolutu Makoaba, Colonel Ramoseeka and Mr Seoane, had informed them that army officers who escorted them from Makoanyane Barracks to Police Headquarters, told them to look into their matters (abducted ministers).       " They told us that as far as they were concerned we were the King's ministers, and there was nothing they could look into. They assured us that they could provide what little protection they could, and conveyed us to our residences," he concluded.    

The Minister identified a seventh accused Private Fisone Nthako, whom he said appeared to be angry and aggressive during the day in question, as one of the soldiers who abducted them. Twenty-four LDF members are being charged with the murder of the late Selometsi Baholo, and Kidnapping of cabinet ministers on April 14, 1994. The accused were 25 in number, before a ninth accused Private Kekeletso Lesesa
died on September 2. The case that is before Justice Semapo Peete is continuing. The prosecutor is Mr Ronald Suhr, while defence counsels include Advocates Hae Phoofolo, Ts'upane Maieane, Thabo Nteso and Molefi Ntlhoki.

25 September,2002