Moorosi Tsiane
JUDGE ‘Maliepollo Makhetha has been appointed to preside over former army commander, Tlali Kamoli, and others’ treason and murder trial.
She takes over from Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane who was last month ordered off the case by the Court of Appeal. This followed an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Hlalefang Motinyane, who had argued that Justice Sakoane was likely to be biased against the prosecution.
Although the decision has not been publicly communicated by the judiciary, Justice Makhetha was the one in charge on Tuesday to preside over preliminary issues ahead of the trial which is now expected to proceed from 25 to 27 October 2022.
Kamoli is charged alongside politicians, Mothetjoa Metsing, Selibe Mochoboroane, Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Lance Corporals Motloheloa Ntsane and Leutsoa Motsieloa. The charges are in connection with the 30 August 2014 attempted coup against the first government of former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.
Messrs Metsing and Mochoboroane are accused number five and six respectively. Mr Metsing has not appeared in court as he fled the country in December 2021. Justice Sakoane even issued a warrant for his arrest that same month.
On Tuesday, Advocate Motiea Teele KC told the court that they intend to apply for Messrs Metsing and Mochoboroane to be tried separately from the others. He however, did not give reasons for the move saying he would do so in September this year.
“I confirm with the court the (October 2022) dates as have been explained by Crown Counsel Advocate Shaun Abrahams but I will also like to alert the court that we are intending to file for the separation of these cases for the purpose of fifth and sixth accused in this case. We will submit our heads of arguments in September for the separation of trial,” Adv Teele said.
Lead prosecutor Abrahams had initially proposed that the trial should begin on 21 June 2022, However, Adv Letuka Molati, who represents Kamoli, said he would not be available on that day.
Adv Molati said due to the lengthy delays of their trials, the accused were likely to run out of money to continue paying for legal services. He said the suspects risked going to trial without legal representation as a result of the “poor” pro deo rates paid out by the government to lawyers it engaged to represent suspects who could not afford to pay on their own.
He said for them to become pro deo lawyers, the government would have to revise its payments rates.
“My Lady, these accused persons have been detained since 2017 and at some point they applied for pro deo lawyers, which were granted, only for the Director of Public Prosecution (Hlalefang Motinyane), to apply for them to be cancelled. This left the accused in a dire situation. Pro deo lawyers are getting M400 a day while over M50 000 is spent daily on the Crown,” Adv Molati said.
He added that he would only be available from August onwards to represent his client.
In response, Adv Abrahams proposed the October dates but said he would not discuss his fees in an open forum.
“I will not respond to what my learned friend here is saying because I cannot discuss my fees in an open forum but they don’t come anywhere close to M50 000.
“However, we can propose new trial dates, which will be 25 and 27 October 2022,” Adv Abrahams said.
Meanwhile, Kamoli’s application to subpoena Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro to court to explain why he and his co-accused cannot be furnished with the recordings of the 2016 Phumaphi Commission inquiry into army commander, Maaparankoe Mahao’s murder has been rejected by the High Court.
Kamoli had argued that they needed the recordings as part of their defence in their trial for Lt-Gen Mahao’s murder. He argued that he wanted the recordings because a state witness, retired Major General Lineo Poopa, was allegedly presenting a different testimony to what he had given to the Commission when it interviewed him as part of its 2016 inquiry into Lt-Gen Mahao’s murder.
However, Judge Charles Hungwe dismissed the application, saying should the need arise, the defence will still be given a chance to re-cross examine the witness on the recordings once he has heard the state case in full.
Kamoli has been charged alongside Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Captain Haleo Makara, Sergeant Lekhooa Moepi, Sergeant Motsamai Fako, Corporal Marasi Moleli, Corporal Motsoane Machai, Corporal Mohlalefi Seitlheko and Corporal Tsitso Ramoholi. They have denied murdering Lt-Gen Mahao.
59 comments
Thanks for shening. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you. https://accounts.binance.com/sl/register?ref=I3OM7SCZ
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article. https://accounts.binance.com/bg/register-person?ref=V2H9AFPY
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me. https://accounts.binance.com/register/person?ref=MBLCVVZG
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Greate article. Keep posting such kind of info on your page. Im really impressed by it.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say excellent blog!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Currently it appears like WordPress is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Hey there, You’ve performed an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and for my part recommend to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this site.
Hey there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll definitely digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this site.
May I simply say what a comfort to discover an individual who truly understands what they are talking about online. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people need to read this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you are not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
Currently it looks like WordPress is the preferred blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Greate pieces. Keep posting such kind of info on your site. Im really impressed by it.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Can I just say what a comfort to discover someone that truly understands what they are discussing on the web. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you’re not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say superb blog!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Hi there, You have done an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and for my part recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this web site.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!
May I just say what a comfort to uncover somebody who actually understands what they are talking about on the internet. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people must look at this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you are not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
After checking out a few of the blog posts on your blog, I truly like your way of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site as well and let me know what you think.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say superb blog!
At this time it appears like Drupal is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say great blog!
Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of info on your site. Im really impressed by it.
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, therefore he/she desires to be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.
Aw, this was a very nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and never seem to get anything done.
Can I just say what a comfort to find someone that actually understands what they are discussing on the net. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people really need to read this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular since you most certainly have the gift.
Currently it appears like Expression Engine is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Greate post. Keep posting such kind of info on your site. Im really impressed by your site.
Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of info on your blog. Im really impressed by your blog.
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
Currently it sounds like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Aw, this was a really good post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.
May I just say what a relief to uncover somebody that truly understands what they’re discussing online. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people ought to look at this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular given that you surely possess the gift.
Hey there, You have done an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and in my view recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
May I just say what a relief to uncover someone who genuinely knows what they are talking about on the net. You certainly realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people must look at this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you are not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.
Currently it seems like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Hi there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll definitely digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
At this time it seems like WordPress is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of information on your page. Im really impressed by your site.
Can I simply say what a relief to uncover somebody who genuinely understands what they are talking about over the internet. You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people really need to read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you’re not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Can I just say what a comfort to find someone that truly understands what they are talking about on the net. You definitely realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people really need to read this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you are not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!
Excellent article. Keep posting such kind of info on your site. Im really impressed by your blog.
Currently it sounds like Movable Type is the preferred blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Hi there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.