Kabelo Masoabi
THE trial of two Maputsoe-based police officers accused of soliciting bribes to secure the release of a suspect failed to take off yesterday due to procedural challenges in the Leribe Magistrates’ Court.
The accused officers, Rethabile Sera (35) and Maruping Nkoloko (48), were arrested by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) in January 2025 after allegedly demanding and receiving bribes amounting to M2,500 from employees of Phokeng Security Company.
The officers allegedly solicited the bribe after arresting a security guard, Bonang Lelotha, who was found on duty while allegedly in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Nkoloko, who has since retired from the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), and Sera are facing two counts of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences Act.
A third accused, ‘Makhothatso Motlatsoe, also a Maputsoe-based police officer, had the charges against her withdrawn.
Details of the charges
In the first count, both Sera and Nkoloko are charged with contravening Section 21(1) read with Section 34 of the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences Act of 1999 (as amended in 2006), together with Section 26(1) of the Penal Code of 2010.
Reading the charge particulars, Magistrate ’Mapitso Rantja stated that on or about 18 January 2025, at or near Maputsoe, the two accused, acting in common purpose, unlawfully agreed to allow their conduct as public officers to be influenced by money amounting to M2500.
The court heard that the initial M1500 bribe was allegedly paid by Tlhakolane Ntsapi and Moeketsi Kaota, former employees of Phokeng Security Company. In return, the officers allegedly promised to release Mr Lelotha and the seized firearm, and further agreed not to arraign him before court. At the time, the accused were allegedly acting in the course of their official duties as police officers.
In the second count, Nkoloko alone is charged with allegedly accepting another M1000 bribe on or about 23 January 2025 from Mr Ntsapi to secure return of the firearm.
Court proceedings and postponement
The matter, which was scheduled for hearing on 28 January 2026 (yesterday), could not proceed after the defence raised concerns over inadequate disclosure.
Defence counsel Advocate Molise Molise told the court that he had not been furnished with any witness statements. His colleague, Adv Molapo Molapo, said he had only received incomplete statements from a lawyer who previously handled the case.
The situation was further complicated when DCEO prosecutor, Adv Lebohang Motelle, presented the defence with an amended charge sheet just minutes before proceedings were due to commence. The defence objected, arguing that they required sufficient time to study the amended charges and prepare their case.
Magistrate Rantja ruled that proceeding under the circumstances would be unfair and ordered the matter postponed to 12 August 2026. The court directed that full disclosure be made to allow the defence adequate time to prepare.
Two former Phokeng Security Company guards and a police officer are expected to testify when the trial resumes.
