Kabelo Masoabi
THE Leribe armed robbery suspects, Tholoana Kano (29) and Malefetsane Lethaha (28), have disowned firearms allegedly found in their possession by the police.
Instead, the duo claims that police officers who raided their rented room in Matšoaneng, Maputsoe, on 20 February 2025, planted the three pistols after shooting them.
Appearing before the Leribe Magistrates’ Court this week, the accused alleged that they were shot by the same officers who later implicated them by planting the firearms.
The two are jointly charged with Phakeli Raphone for unlawful possession of firearms. All three pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Makhaketso.
According to evidence presented in court, Maputsoe police officers recovered three 9mm pistols and 15 rounds of ammunition during a search of the rented premises. Police also allegedly found several boxes of cigarettes, some of which were suspected to be illicit.
State witness, Mokhali Theko, testified that he was asleep when he heard loud noises resembling fireworks. On going outside to investigate, he saw police officers and members of the public gathered near rented rooms adjacent to his residence.
Mr Theko told the court that he found one man lying on the ground with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the leg, while two others were handcuffed.
He further testified that police asked members of the public to assist in searching the house for firearms. When mattresses were lifted, he said three pistols — two black and one black-and-brown — were discovered, along with boxes of cigarettes.
Mr Theko said police interrogated the suspects at the scene and that the accused allegedly admitted to using the firearms in several armed robberies in Corner Exchange, Mpharane and Hlotse.
He added that it was the first time he had seen the accused and that he was unaware that a second suspect had also been injured during the arrest.
Defence counsel, Advocate Ramaema Mahula, challenged the state’s version, arguing that the firearms recovered at the scene belonged to the arresting officers.
“Those guns were used by the police to injure the accused before they were arrested. They were placed in that house by the same officers after shooting the accused,” Adv Mahula submitted.
He further alleged that police arrived at the scene with a fourth suspect who is now deceased. According to the defence, the deceased and the police brought the firearms with the intention of implicating the three accused. Adv Mahula stated that it is common cause that the deceased was killed by police.
The defence also questioned why a fifth individual, Tanki Ramathateng — currently serving a separate sentence — was neither charged nor called as a state witness, alleging that the firearms belonged to him. Adv Mahula further pointed out that three women who were present at the premises during the arrest were not charged.
He told the court that the accused were shot after denying ownership of the firearms and refusing to confess. Kano was allegedly shot in the arm and thigh, while Lethaha sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and later underwent surgery at Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital, where a steel implant was inserted.
Kano has since been released on bail, while Lethaha and Raphone remain in custody as the trial continues.
The prosecution indicated that it would present further evidence to prove the accused’s guilt.
