Tefo Tefo
THE fate of suspended Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Brigadier, Maaparankoe Mahao, is still hanging in the balance after the Military Court on Monday postponed his case indefinitely for Judge Advocate Lieutenant Baholo Matobo to make his ruling.
Brigadier Mahao was suspended on 15 January this year for allegedly “behaving in an unbecoming character of an
Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Brigadier, Maaparankoe Mahao
officer”, contrary to Section 75 of the Lesotho Defence Force Act 4, 1996. He was charged after a confrontation with Commando Captain Tefo Hashatsi over an argument regarding a change of the LDF leadership two days before his suspension.
In addition, Brigadier Mahao is alleged to have acted in a manner prejudicial to discipline when he reportedly threatened Captain Hashatsi over the issue. The brigadier denies both charges.
In his testimony, Captain Hashatsi told the Court Martial he was strongly against the discussion of army issues in the media. He was referring to a 12 January 2014 Facebook post by Mo-Afrika FM owner, Ratabane Ramainoane, in which it was alleged LDF Commander, Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, would soon be served with a letter of dismissal.
Captain Hashatsi told the court that the next day he convened a meeting of 38 Special Force Company colleagues to discuss the Facebook post, which then led to his confrontation with Brigadier Mahao.
Brigadier Mahao was then suspended on 15 January by Major General Khoantle Motsomotso, for the exchanges with Captain Hashatsi.
Reads the charge Brigadier Mahao is facing: “The accused did not follow the chain of command in addressing his concerns to the Captain, and neither was he granted permission by his superiors to utter such views which sought to influence or victimise the Captain.”
In his defence, Brigadier Mahao said, as a senior army officer, he had the responsibility to reprimand his subordinates whenever he thought this action was necessary.
The brigadier now awaits his fate after both the prosecution, represented by Advocate Major Bulane Sechele, and Brigadier Mahao’s lawyer, Advocate Patrick Tšenoli, concluded their arguments before the court.
Major General Lineo Poopa is presiding over the case, assisted by Brigadier Poqa Motoa, Colonel Kaibe, Lieutenant Colonel Mohale and Lieutenant Colonel Lebabo.
Waiting members of the court are Brigadier Letsoela and Major Kebane, while Lieutenant Colonel Matobo is the Judge Advocate.
