…as Masoleng claims police tortured him into false confession
Moorosi Tsiane
A Mohale’s Hoek man charged with the murder of three women between February and April 2024 has retracted his confession, claiming he was tortured by police into falsely admitting to the crimes.
Lehlohonolo Masoleng (30), who allegedly posed as a recruiter on Facebook and used fake job offers to lure his victims, is charged with the murders of Matšepo Likotsi of Mapoteng in Berea, Maletsema Foka of Nazareth in Maseru, and Kefuoe Moretlo of Mohale’s Hoek.
Masoleng, who was called to defend himself after the Crown closed its case on Tuesday, told trial judge Tšeliso Mokoko yesterday that police officers assaulted him and coerced him into confessing before Magistrate Tau.
“I was arrested on a Thursday, and on Friday, I was assaulted by police officers Matekane, Sehau, and another whose name I do not know,” Masoleng testified.
“I was called into the interrogation room where Sehau took off my shoes and instructed me to lie on the bench with my head facing down. He then beat me under the feet with a knobkerrie. When he was done, Matekane and the other officer continued the assault. After that, they took me to the magistrate’s court and told me exactly what to say during the confession. They warned that if I didn’t comply, they would assault me again.”
Responding to questions from his lawyer, Advocate Masoabi, Masoleng maintained his innocence and said he informed Magistrate Tau during the confession that he had been tortured.
“I knew nothing about these murders, but I just repeated what the police told me to say. I also informed the magistrate that I had been assaulted and forced to confess,” he said.
“After the confession, I was taken for remand and then to the Mohale’s Hoek Correctional Service facility. However, officers there refused to admit me, insisting that the police take me to hospital first.”
During cross-examination, Advocate Lehlanako Mofilikoane for the Crown, dismissed Masoleng’s claims as an afterthought.
“If this has always been your defence, you should have raised it from the beginning and put it to the officers during cross-examination, since they testified as witnesses in this matter,” said Adv Mofilikoane.
“These allegations of torture and assault are only surfacing now, which makes them suspect.”
She also pointed out that Magistrate Tau, who had testified and submitted the confession as evidence, had not been confronted with the torture allegations.
“Magistrate Tau told the court that he specifically asked if you had been assaulted, and you said no. If you had made such claims, they would have been reflected in the confession record. I put it to you that you are not being honest with this court, you were never assaulted.”
The matter will resume on Monday. Adv Masoabi informed the court that he intends to call a Mohale’s Hoek correctional officer who refused to admit Masoleng, as well as the medical practitioner who examined him, as part of the defence witnesses.
