Mohalenyane Phakela
THE government is in the process of engaging intergovernmental police organisation, Interpol, to facilitate the extradition of Police Commissioner Molahlehi Letsoepa from South Africa to assist with investigations into the murder of Police Constable (PC) Mokalekale Khetheng.
According to Foreign Affairs and International Relations Minister, Lesego Makgothi, several attempts by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) to ask Commissioner Letsoepa to return home had been fruitless, leaving them with the no option but to involve Interpol.
Interpol is the world’s largest international police organisation, with 190 member countries.
If a person is wanted by a country for prosecution or to serve a sentence based on an arrest warrant or court decision, Interpol assists the national police in identifying and locating them for arrest and extradition.
“The LMPS has contacted Mr Letsoepa — who is in South Africa — several times asking him to come home to assist them in the case of the murder of PC Khetheng,” he said.
“Since he is in another country, the only way the LMPS can get him is via Interpol and what I can say at the moment is that the process is currently being finalised with Interpol to help us bring him home.”
Commissioner Letsoepa – who was appointed by the Pakalitha Mosisili-led former government in November 2015 – was sent on an involuntary 90-day leave by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane in June this year.
He left the country soon afterwards.
Acting Commissioner Holomo Molibeli is expected to replace the top cop on a permanent basis.
PC Khetheng died under mysterious circumstances after being arrested by his colleagues at a traditional feast in Sebothoane, Leribe on 25 March 2016.
Former Defence minister Tšeliso Mokhosi has since been charged with PC Khetheng’s murder along with four LMPS officers.
Mr Mokhosi fled to exile last week after being granted bail by the High Court, although he is expected in court for his remand hearing today.
Mr Makgothi also revealed that the government was aware of Commissioner Letsoepa’s location, adding that they would soon bring him home with Interpol’s help.
“Through our own investigations, we were able to learn that Mr Letsoepa is somewhere between Pietermaritzburg and Durban where he is being offered accommodation by our (government) consul there.
“Since his whereabouts are known, it should not be a long process to bring him back.”
Meanwhile, the minister pointed out that he had been misinterpreted by some people while speaking on national television who thought he had said Commissioner Letsoepa was already on the Interpol wanted list.
“I did not say that Commissioner Letsoepa was already wanted by Interpol but that it was the only option we had left of bringing him back,” Mr Makgothi added.
