When Justice Peter Brendan Cullinan began advising the court ahead of judgement for the 37 members of the army who are charged with mutiny following the political upheaval of 1998, at the court martial on Monday this week, one of the serving members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Private Mokhejane Mokhejane confessed to the Leon Commission at Lesotho Sun hotel that, he and other soldiers burnt a house belonging to Captian ‘Mota during the skirmishes.

        Private Mokhejane told the commission that after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces intervention in Lesotho on September 22, 1998, he, together with Private Tšepo and a civilian, ‘Mota Majara, burned down Captain ‘Mota’s house at Sekamaneng.

            He said during the burning, other people who were present were youth leaders belonging to the Setlamo Alliance parties, adding that among them, he identified Thabang Nchai of the Basotho National Party (BNP).

Private Mokhejane stated that before they went to Captain Mota’s house, they had been looking for the Prime Minister, Mr Pakalitha Mosisili, who was reported to be at Sekamaneng at that time.

Asked about the reason for looking for the Prime Minister, Private Mokhejane said the plan was to kill him.

He added that by the time the house was still burning, one person from the village tried to put off the fire, but he, shot in the air so as to threaten the person. He added that the person was arrested and Thabang Nchai tried to shoot him, but Michael Mohasi asked him not to.

Asked as to why he took part in the incidents, Private Mokhejane said there was no way he could dissociate himself with the plans, as he was afraid that other soldiers would kill him.

           Another soldier, Private Libe Moshe Tšoene has also told the commission that he was with a group of soldiers who exchanged fire with the police in a roadblock at Masianokeng on the day of the SADC military intervention.

            He said they could not obey the police orders to stop at the roadblock, adding that their vehicle, which was carrying a group of soldiers from Makoanyane barracks, was travelling at a high speed to Matsieng.

He stated that they decided to go to Matsieng so as to seek for refuge from the chiefs, after SADC forces entered the country, adding that they were also confused about the prevailing situation in the country at that time.

As to why they decided to go specifically to the Chief of Matsieng, Private T’soene said, they thought it was the only place where they could get food and shelter as they had nowhere to sleep. He added that at Matsieng they met Chief Masupha Seeiso, who ordered them to wait near the Treasury.

            Private T’soene indicated that later on, Chief Seeiso advised them not to wait and fight in the village, but urged them to go to the nearby hill at Matsieng village.

            Asked why they shot at the police in the roadblock, Private Tšoene said they were clearing their way and for the other soldiers who were coming from Makoanyane to Matsieng.

       The Leon Commission, which started in April this year, has been set up by the Prime Minister to look into the political events of 1998.  So far a lot of civilians, Chiefs and soldiers have been implicated in the testimony given to the commission.

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