Month's Postponement for Case, Defence Counsel not in Court

Warrants of arrest have been issued against three former members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) being charged with arson and malicious damage to property following the September 1998 political unrest in the country.

Nine former LDF members were to appear before the Maseru Magistrate's Court on July 26 but the case had to be postponed to August 26 because of the non-appearance of the three: Private Ts’elisehang Ts’iu, Corporal Reentseng Phafoli, and Private Refiloe Makhele.

Magistrate Mrs. ’M’afelile Ralebese issued an order that the three should be arrested to ensure that they appear in court on the appointed date. On this day, they could be accorded opportunity to explain why they had been absent. The warrant was issued on the request of prosecutor Mr. Justin Gareth Leppan so that the accused do not absent themselves again from the proceedings.

 Mr. Leppan also expressed concern over the absence of defence counsel Advocate Kananelo Mosito and Hopolang Nathane. The defence team also includes Advocates Salemane Phafane, Moloantoa Khasipe and Mats’eliso Mahase.    

The other accused, present in court, were Warrant Officer Malefetsane Khajoane, Second Lieutenant Molupe Molupe, Private Nkhahle Kalake, Private Lekhaba Kaphe, Private Moshoeshoe Molapo and Private Sehlaba-Thebe Morethe.    

  27 July 2004