…as court hears how insecurities sparked fatal shooting at Naleli guest house
Moorosi Tsiane
A witness has told the High Court how allegations of an extra-marital affair led to the fatal shooting of Tebello Koelane in Maseru in September 2020.
The witness, Lehlohonolo Lesala, took the stand as the murder trial of Sello “Scalo” Mabothile, who is accused of fatally shooting Koelane, started before Justice ‘Mabatšoeneng Hlaele yesterday.
Justice Hlaele heard that shortly before his death, Koelane had confided in friends that Mabothile was accusing him of having an affair with his wife.
Led in evidence by state prosecutor Advocate Tsebiso Fuma, Mr Lesala testified that on the night of 12 September 2020 he and Koelane were attending a society meeting at The Clan Guest House in Naleli, together with about eight other acquaintances.
Mr Lesala said the meeting had ended and the group was socialising when Phiri Panyane handed Koelane his phone, informing him that Mabothile was outside looking for him.
“He took the call and shortly after violently dropped the phone on the floor, saying the person on the other end was undermining him,” Mr Lesala told the court.
He said Koelane wanted to go outside but was persuaded to remain inside. Koelane then asked Mr Lesala to move his car into the yard, as it was parked outside. Mr Lesala volunteered to do so since his own vehicle was also parked outside.
As Mr Lesala approached the gate, he encountered Mabothile heading into the yard.
“He asked me who I thought I was and whether I thought I could drive all those cars,” Mr Lesala said, adding that a brief argument ensued before Mabothile turned back.
Mr Lesala testified that as Mabothile neared the gate, he bent down and his firearm fell to the ground. Mabothile picked it up and walked out.
The owner of The Clan Guest House, Thabiso Mpeoa, then warned Mr Lesala not to go outside because of the darkness and said he would send an employee to fetch the vehicles.
Moments later, Mabothile returned and stood next to Messrs Lesala and Mpeoa at the gate, taunting Mr Lesala and accusing him of thinking he was clever.
Mr Lesala said Koelane then approached and confronted Mabothile.
“He said he was tired of hiding and that he had heard Mabothile had been looking for him. Mabothile confirmed this and they exchanged a few words,” he testified.
According to Mr Lesala, Koelane then slapped Mabothile, who staggered backwards and reached for his waist. Koelane allegedly drew his firearm first and pointed it at Mabothile.
Mr Lesala told the court that as Koelane was explaining to Mpeoa that Mabothile had been accusing him of having an affair with his wife, and that Mabothile had continued pursuing him despite attempts by others to reconcile them, Mabothile knocked the gun upwards, causing it to fall to the ground.
“Mabothile then pulled out his own firearm and shot the deceased twice,” Mr Lesala said.
He testified that Mabothile continued shooting Koelane as he lay on the ground, firing four or five more shots until he ran out of ammunition. Mabothile then allegedly took Koelane’s firearm and shot him twice more as he lay in a pool of blood.
Mr Lesala said Mabothile fled the scene with both firearms. Koelane’s firearm was later recovered by a security guard just outside the guest house gate.
Police were summoned, but Koelane was pronounced dead at the scene by one Dr Thabane, who was among those attending the meeting.
During cross-examination, Mabothile’s lawyer, Advocate Motiea Teele KC, put it to Mr Lesala that Koelane had initiated the confrontation and that Mabothile had acted in response.
“In every fight, there is someone who starts it,” Adv Teele said. Mr Lesala conceded that Koelane had slapped Mabothile first.
Adv Teele also disputed claims that his client had discussed an alleged affair with Koelane, suggesting the matter was never raised at the scene.
The trial continues today, with the second state witness, Teboho Tšoeu, expected to testify.
Mabothile, who is also a suspect in a separate M50 million fraud case, fled the country shortly after being granted bail in the murder matter. He was extradited back to Lesotho on 4 September 2025 after five years on the run and remains in Lesotho Correctional Service custody following his arraignment before Chief Magistrate ’Matankiso Nthunya
