Tefo Tefo
FOUR Institute of Extra-Mural Studies (IEMS) students yesterday appeared before the Magistrate’s Court in Maseru to answer charges of gathering without permission and violent conduct in contravention of the provisions of the Penal Code Act of 2010 and Public Processions Act of 2010.
The four are Lebohang Ramosoeu (25), Mphasa Serobanyane (25), Phakiso Moketlane (23) and Letima Ikhetheleng (25).
The charges stem from the National University of Lesotho (NUL) student protests in Roma and Maseru on Monday and Tuesday to demand answers from Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili on their petition concerning government funding of their tuition fees.
They presented the petition on 30 March 2017.
In the charge of contravening the Penal Code Act they are accused “in that upon or about the 10th of April 2017, at or near IEMS Main south 1 public road, in Maseru, the accused, without lawful cause, did throw stones and did damage a motor vehicle with registration number X3790 (water cannon tank), vehicle with registration number X1741 (water cannon tank) and vehicle with registration number X1740 (water cannon tank).”
On the second count they are charged with contravening section 7 (1) (e) of the Public Meetings of Processions Act number 4 of 2010.
They are accused of contravening the said act “in that on the 10th of April 2017 at or near IEMS, Main South 1 Public Road, the said accused each or jointly did attend or take part in a public meeting or procession at a place that they were not permitted by law to do so.”
They were all released on their own recognisance – a legal expression meaning they were released on bail without being ordered to pay any sum of money as bail deposit.
They will appear again in court on 24 April 2017 for the court to set a date of hearing.
