Moorosi Tsiane
THE High Court has heard chilling testimony detailing the final moments of former Disaster Management Authority (DMA) boss, Makhotso Mahosi, who was brutally gunned down alongside her 11-year-old son at their Ha-Matala Phase I home on 29 October 2023.
Before Justice ’Maliepollo Makhetha, the court listened as Crown Counsel, Advocate Thapelo Mokuku, read into the record the police statement of the only surviving witness to the attack — Ms Mahosi’s house helper, Lineo Thoola — who was also shot but lived to recount the ordeal.
Ms Mahosi and her son, Kabelo, were killed in what prosecutors allege was a calculated murder plot. Her driver, Mohlanka Matsipa, was later arrested together with Mohau Ramookho and Mpho Neo Taelo in connection with the killings.
In her statement, Ms Thoola described how events unfolded that night.
“On the night of 29 October 2023, between 7pm and 8pm, I was at Makhotso’s place when I heard a knock on the door. It was Ntate Matsipa. I opened for him as I knew him because he would occasionally come to the house. He was wearing his pyjamas, looking like he was about to sleep.
“He asked where ’M’e Makhotso was and I told him she was around. He said ’M’e Makhotso had tried to call him earlier that day but he could not pick up as his phone had jammed, so he had come to hear what she needed. I then went to call ’M’e Makhotso for him,” reads part of her statement.
Moments after Matsipa entered the house, two armed men wearing balaclavas stormed inside.
“After Ntate Matsipa got into the house, two men wearing balaclavas stormed in and directed him to leave, saying they were not there for him. He went outside. They wanted money and ’M’e Makhotso said she would give them the money but pleaded with them not to kill us. She went into her bedroom followed by one gunman, while the other remained with me and Kabelo in the other room.
“Shortly after, they returned from the bedroom. I did not know how much money was given, but the gunmen instructed us to kneel on the floor and pointed a gun at us.
“I looked down and covered my face with my hands. I heard several gunshots and felt that I had been shot. I pretended to be dead and the two men left the house,” she continued.
Bleeding and weak, Ms Thoola said she tried to reach her employer and the child but could not.
“I looked at ’M’e Makhotso and Kabelo and saw them lying in a pool of blood. I tried to reach out to them but I was weak. However, I managed to extend my hand to ’M’e Makhotso, but her hand was very cold.
“After some time, I heard a car park at the gate and shortly thereafter Ntate Matsipa entered the house with the police. He told them we had been shot. They said I still looked alive and called me. I raised my head and was rushed to Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital,” she said.
Ms Thoola further told the court that Matsipa visited her in hospital the following day and offered his own account of what transpired after he was ordered out of the house.
“Ntate Matsipa visited me at the hospital the following day. He told me that when he reached the door, he found another gunman waiting outside. The gunman instructed him to drive away in his car, which he did, dropping him somewhere along the road. He then went to fetch the police. I did not ask him much because I was in pain. Later that day, Ntate Mahosi (Makhotso’s husband) arrived with his other son, Thapelo,” she said.
Ms Thoola’s evidence was not opposed by defence lawyers Advocate Rabati Akhosi, representing Matsipa, and Advocate Lenka Malefane, for Ramookho.
Police investigations, however, allege that Matsipa orchestrated the murder plot in a bid to obtain a large sum of money from the household.
The trio faces two counts of murder, for the deaths of Ms Mahosi and her son as well as attempted murder for the shooting of Ms Thoola.
In a dramatic turn earlier this year, the third accused, Taelo, died while detained at the Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) after allegedly being poisoned. His lawyer, Advocate Tlapana, informed the court of the development.
“My Lady, the accused that I am representing has passed on and I request that I be excused in this matter,” said Adv Tlapana.
Adv Mokuku expressed surprise at the disclosure.
“My Lady, I was about to raise the issue that I do not see another accused person in the dock. I am surprised that my learned friend knows about this while I was not informed. The proper procedure is that I should have been notified so that I can advise the court, as the case is mine. Unfortunately, there has been no formal or informal communication from the correctional service regarding this matter,” he said.
Justice Makhetha excused Adv Tlapana from further proceedings and directed that correctional services formally communicate with the Crown about the death.
Ramookho remains detained at MCCI while Matsipa is out on bail.
The trial continues today, with the Crown expected to call additional witnesses.
