…with more arrests to follow
Mohloai Mpesi / Hopolang Mokhopi
A third soldier is expected to appear before the Maseru Magistrates’ Court today to face charges linked to the alleged theft of Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) firearms that were allegedly sold to famo gangsters.
A source close to the police investigations said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has already authorised that the soldier be charged.
The source told the Lesotho Times last night that the suspect, who is currently in police custody, will be joined to the case involving two other soldiers; Corporals Mosuoe Letšoana (39) and Lerato Sechoala, who were charged last Friday and remain in custody.
“We are set to join another soldier to the case tomorrow. We have just received a directive to include him in the firearms matter and will take him to court,” the source said.
“There is still something he is assisting us with before we appear in court tomorrow (today).”
The source added that investigations are ongoing and far from complete.
“We are still busy. Investigations are continuing,” the source said.
The source explained that the syndicate involves both serving and retired soldiers, with the latter expected to testify as state witnesses.
The source revealed that two firearms were recovered in Mohale’s Hoek after being sold to civilians.
“The small firearms are sold for about M6000, while high-calibre rifles go for as much as M35 000 locally.”
He further disclosed that the weapons are also trafficked to South Africa, where they fetch higher prices.
“They take the firearms to the zama-zamas (illegal miners) in South Africa, where small guns are sold for about M20 000, while rifles go for between M70 000 and M100 000,” the source said.
The source said the recovered firearms form part of a wider pattern of theft from the LDF.
“We went after the person who supplied us with the firearms. The two recovered in Mohale’s Hoek are part of a continuing trail of stolen LDF weapons. Some soldiers even manufacture firearms for themselves.”
The source warned that more arrests are imminent.
“Our intelligence indicates that many soldiers are involved. We are still searching for them. These are soldiers who destabilise the country by stealing state firearms.”
The source also disclosed that a retired police officer is implicated in the matter.
“There is another police officer involved. He was given an AK-47 by a soldier to sell it, but he is now retired,” the source said.
When asked about a politician allegedly linked to the case, the source declined to reveal the name but confirmed that a politician would be questioned.
A Lesotho Times sister publication, Sunday Express, reported that a politician was expected to be summoned on Monday to answer questions regarding firearms carried by his bodyguards.
On Monday, leader of the Socialist Revolutionaries (SR), Advocate Teboho Mojapela, was summoned to the Police Headquarters. It remains unclear why he was called in as Police Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli only confirmed Adv Mojapela had been to Police Headquarters on Monday but said he did not know why he had been called.
Adv Mojapela said he was summoned merely to be warned to stop criticising the government.
“They only asked me about corruption. In fact, they were telling me to stop talking about government corruption and lies,” he said.
However, the source insisted that a politician linked to the firearms case has yet to be questioned.
“I do not know about that Mojapela issue as I was not part of the team that met with him, but there is a politician whom we are going to summon regarding these investigations,” the source said.
This is not the first time Adv Mojapela has faced police questioning. In October 2024, he was intercepted near Maseru Bridge after police raised concerns over high-calibre firearms carried by his bodyguards.
“Those bodyguards are no longer working for me. They are now guarding another political leader,” Adv Mojapela said.
