Hopolang Mokhopi
The trial in which alleged fraud mastermind, Lehlohonolo Selate, is charged of defrauding Maluti School of Nursing of M316 200 continue to drag as his co-accused, Rethabile Khatleli, failed to appear in the Maseru Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Selate and Khatleli alongside Phanyaka Mohlatsane, Lehlohonolo Tšiu, Maboloka Matjoa and Lineo Mohale allegedly acted in common purpose in November 2017 to intentionally steal three blank cheques from Maluti School of Nursing and used them to defraud the M316 200.
They are further charged with opening an account (908000780282) at Standard Lesotho Bank using false names and fraudulent documents.
The trial started in September last year and the Crown called in one witness, Standard Lesotho Bank Forensic Services Manager, Lesole Chikando, into the box. He completed his evidence and the matter was set to continue in February this year but there have been several issues causing postponements of the matter.
On Monday when the trial was supposed to proceed both Mohlatsane and Khatleli were not before court, forcing the matter to be postponed to Tuesday after an arrest warrant was issued for the duo.
On Tuesday, Mohlatsane was present before court while Khatleli was still a no show. Their lawyer, one Advocate (Adv) Akhosi, informed the court that Mohlatsane had attended his wife’s ritual ceremony in Leribe on Monday hence he failed to appear before court, therefore pleaded with the court to cancel his arrest warrant. On the other hand, Adv Akhosi relinquished his legal representation for Khatleli.
“My Lord, I am recusing myself as Mr Khatleli’s lawyer in this matter. I have had enough of having to answer to the court about his whereabouts every time the trial has to continue,” submitted Adv Akhosi.
Magistrate Thamae therefore issued a warrant of arrest for Khatleli for absconding.
Other defence counsels in the matter asked the court for the separation of trials as these postponements were prejudicing their clients but Crown counsel, Advocate Keketso Motiki, opposed that application.
Senior Resident Magistrate Thamae Thamae had to postpone the matter to the next available date to give Crown enough time to secure Khatleli.
He therefore postponed the matter to 28 October 2024.
“This trial should be disposed of within a reasonable time and that is according to the Constitution.
“I am postponing this matter to the 28 October 2024 to give both the Crown and the defence enough time to secure this accused person,” Magistrate Thamae said.
Meanwhile, Selate still phases another plethora of fraud and corruption charges including the M50 million saga in which he defrauded the government of Lesotho through fictious payments for services that were never rendered
In this matter he is charged alongside Ntseliseng Lawrence, Mookho Rafono, Tlali Mokoaleli, Thabang Nkoe, Hlabathe Phafoli, Thithili Makhesi, Maqoboto Lepolesa, Fako Molefe and Karabelo Makara.
He is currently out on bail after he was admitted to M10 000 bail and M150 000 surety in May last year.
