Judgment in the case in which former police officer Sergeant Thabang Makateng is charged with murder will be delivered on November 22, Justice Thamsanqa Nomngcongo has announced. The charges relate to the police riots of 1995.

Crown counsel Advocate Roland Suhr has called for the accused to be found guilty as charged. In October 1995, the accused transported police officers to Police Headquarters, who ultimately ended up committing the crimes of murder and attempted murder at Maseru central charge office.

Makateng should be found guilty on two counts of murder; three of attempted murder and one on kidnapping on common purpose, as he associated himself with the perpetrators.

 Defence lawyer Advocate Thulo Hoeane, on the other hand, submitted a not guilty plea maintaining that the accused had no knowledge of the intended offences. Makateng was carrying orders by his superior, Second Lieutenant Phakiso Molise to collect members of the police association, CODESA, who had a meeting at police head-quarters.

27 October 2005