…as JSC is told to retire him
…after being found guilty of misconduct
Moorosi Tsiane / Hopolang Mokhopi
MASERU Senior Resident Magistrate, Peter Murenzi’s career has hit a hard wall after a disciplinary probe recommended his removal from the bench.
The disciplinary probe was launched in May 2025 after Magistrate Murenzi was accused of the irregular release of high-profile criminal suspects from custody. He had vehemently rejected the allegations.
According to a source close to the matter, the disciplinary committee, chaired by High Court judge Justice Realeboha Mathaba, delivered its judgment last Thursday and recommended that Magistrate Murenzi be retired with full benefits after finding him guilty of misconduct.
“The judgment was delivered last Thursday and the recommendation is that he be retired with full benefits after he was found guilty. However, the judgment is yet to be tabled before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for review. It is only after the JSC has reviewed it that it will become official,” said the source.
“For now, anything is subject to change depending on how the JSC views it. The JSC sits twice a month, on Thursdays.”
The matter was heard on various dates last year, with High Court and Court of Appeal Registrar Adv ‘Mathato Sekoai prosecuting, while Court of Appeal Assistant Registrar Adv Mosito Rabotsoa represented Magistrate Murenzi.
When contacted for comment, Adv Sekoai declined to speak on the matter, citing confidentiality.
“I am in no position to comment on this issue because it is a confidential and internal matter. It is still going through internal processes because the JSC has not yet seen it. Maybe if you speak to Magistrate Murenzi himself, he may be willing to comment,” Adv Sekoai said.
Magistrate Murenzi also declined to disclose details of the recommendations, stressing that they remain subject to review by the JSC.
“I can only confirm that the judgment has been delivered, but for now these are still recommendations which are subject to review by the JSC. I am therefore not at liberty to reveal what it entails. Maybe after the final review and decision, I will be able to comment,” Magistrate Murenzi said.
He has been on suspension since February last year, bringing all cases pending before him to a standstill.
His suspension followed the brief arrest and resignation of Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) officer Ralekoti Mokhahlane. The pair, together with prosecutor Matias Chopho, allegedly conspired to secure the release of five inmates — Hei “Lekaota” Nketsi, Moeketsi Rantheba, Lebajoa Mpeke, Molahlei Mpeke and Retšelisitsoe Mpeke — who were being held at Maseru Central Correctional Institution.
Magistrate Murenzi is accused of granting questionable bail to the group and facilitating their release while they were still on remand.
The disciplinary proceedings stemmed from an investigation ordered by Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane, who instructed Adv Sekoai to probe cases involving dubious bail rulings, including those allegedly linked to Magistrate Murenzi.
Nketsi and Rantheba were charged with conspiracy to kill a state witness in the murder case of radio personality Ralikonelo “Leqhashasha” Joki.
They were jointly charged alongside Moabi Sesioana and Sootho Liphoto, who were convicted in December last year by High Court judge Justice Tšeliso Mokoko for the murders of Joki, Mothibe Mothibe and Thomello Ntsane.
Nketsi and Rantheba had been “dubiously” released in February 2025. Nketsi was re-arrested a few days later after the state successfully obtained warrants for their arrest, while Rantheba later surrendered to the police and appeared before Magistrate Lerato Ntelane for remand.
Upon their re-arrest, both Nketsi and Rantheba told Magistrate Itumeleng Letsika that they had been in their cells when an unfamiliar prison warder informed them that they were free to leave.
Magistrate Murenzi later confirmed that he had ordered the release of the five accused in two separate matters, but denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he had been the magistrate on call and had merely exercised his legal discretion.
Cases in limbo
Criminal and civil cases that were pending before Magistrate Murenzi remain in limbo amid uncertainty over whether he will resume his judicial duties.
If he is ultimately dismissed by the JSC, the cases will have to start afresh before new magistrates, a development with serious legal implications.
Among them is the trial of four Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) members charged with the 2016 attempted murder of former Lesotho Times and Sunday Express editor Lloyd Mutungamiri.
The case is already at an advanced stage, with the Crown having closed its case. Mr Mutungamiri was flown from Zimbabwe under heavy security in March 2022 to testify, a process that would have to be repeated should the trial restart.
The accused soldiers — former Military Intelligence boss Brigadier Rapele Mphaki, together with Khutlang Mochesane, Nyatso Tšoeunyane and Maribe Nathane — have been in custody since their arrest in 2017. Mphaki and Nathane were granted bail in December 2025, while the other two remain behind bars as they had not applied for bail.
There were initially five accused soldiers. However, the fi
