…as DPP withdraws murder charges
Mohloai Mpesi
FOUNDER and chairperson of Naledi Funeral Planners (Pty) Ltd, Thabiso Madiba, is set to be a free man from Monday after the prosecution resolved to withdraw murder charges against him.
The Lesotho Times has established that Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Advocate Lehlanako Mofilikoane, has resolved to withdraw the charges against Mr Madiba, although the reasons for the decision were not stated.
Mr Madiba was accused of the double murder of fellow Naledi shareholder, Ikhetheleng Matabane, and the company’s finance manager, ‘Maserema ‘Makong.
Mr Matabane was also Naledi’s chief financial officer.
The two were gunned down on 10 February 2023 while at the Deck restaurant in Maseru by assailants suspected of having been hired by Mr Madiba.
Mr Madiba was charged by the Maseru Magistrates’ Court on 1 March 2023 and subsequently released on bail by the High Court on 13 March 2023.
One of the suspected assassins, Mokomane “Qoqoho” Sanaha, handed himself over to the police on 25 May 2023 after being listed as a wanted suspect in connection with the murders of Mr Matabane and Ms ‘Makong.
He was charged by the Maseru Magistrates’ Court on 30 May 2023. It is not clear when he made bail.
However, he was subsequently shot dead in Lithabaneng in March 2024 amid suspected famo disputes.
The Lesotho Times has now seen a Notice of Withdrawal issued by Adv Mofilikoane’s office and directed to the Maseru Magistrates’ Court and Mr Madiba’s lawyers, Setlojoane Chambers.
Dated 31 August 2026, the notice informs the court and the defence that the prosecution intends to withdraw the murder charge against the Naledi boss.
The DPP has constitutional powers under Section 99 of the Constitution of Lesotho to institute, take over or discontinue criminal proceedings, including withdrawing a charge before an accused person has pleaded.
The notice states that the authority to withdraw the murder charge is being exercised in terms of Section 278(3) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, 1981.
It further states that the intended withdrawal is grounded in Section 40(1) of the Act.
“Kindly take notice that the Director of Public Prosecutions intends to withdraw the charge of murder (contravention of Sec. 40(1) of the Criminal Procedure & Evidence Act, 1981) that the accused herein is facing,” the notice reads.
“Take further notice that Adv (Keketso) Motiki (Senior Crown Counsel) has been authorised to withdraw the charge accordingly,” it adds.
Section 40(1) of the Act provides that the DPP, or a public prosecutor acting under the DPP’s authority, may withdraw a charge at any time before an accused person has pleaded and frame a fresh charge for hearing before the same or another competent court.
Sources close to the matter have told the Lesotho Times that the charges will formally be withdrawn before the Maseru Magistrates’ Court on 7 September 2026, when Mr Madiba is expected to appear with his lawyer.
However, the notice does not provide reasons for the withdrawal.
Efforts to obtain clarity from the prosecution were unsuccessful.
Adv Motiki declined to comment, while Adv Mofilikoane was unavailable by telephone and could not be reached at her office by the time of going to print last night.
Also contacted for comment, Mr Madiba said he had only seen that the charges were being withdrawn on social media.
“I am not aware of the development. I only saw that on social media. So, I cannot comment about it,” Mr Madiba briefly said.
