By Tefo Tefo
MASERU — The High Court has convicted Molupe Temo, 34, and Seabata Nonyana, 35, of the murder of People’s Choice FM presenter Thabang Moliko.
Delivering a lengthy judgment on Tuesday, High Court judge Justice ‘Maseshophe Hlajoane said evidence linked the two men to the cold-blooded killing of the popular radio announcer.
Justice Hlajoane, however, noted her ruling was not based on the direct evidence against the duo.
“The evidence presented in court links the first accused (Temo) with the gun used to kill the now-deceased. It is true the first accused was not identified during the killing; the evidence against him is only circumstantial.
The only inference to be drawn out of this circumstantial evidence is that the first accused was the killer.
“Both accused were charged with murder and illegal possession of a firearm. Accused number three (Moeketsi Talenyane) has already been discharged. According to the evidence, the first accused received a gun in the presence of accused number two,” Justice Hlajoane said.
The judge was referring to the evidence that a few days before the murder, Temo and Nonyana went to Ha-Ramokoatsi in Mafeteng where the former was given a gun by an unidentified man.
According to the evidence, Temo and Nonyana had gone to Mafeteng in a hired minicab driven by Retšelisitsoe Sechai, who later became a prosecution witness.
Justice Hlajoane said although Nonyana did not pull the trigger, his acts before and after the killing incident made him an accessory to the crime.
“Looking at the circumstances surrounding the killing of the deceased, it would not be unreasonable to conclude that
Accused two (Nonyana) was involved in the killing.
“Also looking at the behaviour of the accused before and after the killing, it seems he knew everything concerning the killing. He never rejected his acquaintance with the first accused during the trial.
“Both suspects had said they would testify to prove that they did not participate in the killing, but they ultimately decided to use their constitutional right to remain silent.
“For Accused one (Temo) in count one, the verdict is that the crown has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and you are found guilty of the murder of Thabang Moliko.
“For count two (illegal possession of a .38 special revolver) you are also found guilty as charged,” the judge said.
Temo, who was wearing a khaki jersey and khaki pair of trousers, stood still, holding his hands together on his abdomen, as the judge delivered the verdict.
But it came as a shock for Nonyana when the judge said he was also guilty of Moliko’s murder.
He held his hands together under the chin with a frown on his face as the judge pronounced a guilty verdict against him.
However, Justice Hlajoane postponed the case to March 19 for defence lawyer, Advocate Thulo Hoeane, to address the court in mitigation.
Moliko was shot and killed at Lepoqong near Sefika Taxi Rank on March 29, 2012.
The crown is represented by Advocate Lehlanako Mofilikoane in this case.
