Moorosi Tsiane
IT remains unclear when the trial of former commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Tlali Kamoli, who is facing attempted murder charges, will eventually proceed after it failed to kick-off on Monday.
The trial is in connection with the 27 January 2014 simultaneous bombings of the home of former First Lady ‘Maesaiah Thabane’s Moshoeshoe II home and the Ha-Abia residence of the then police commissioner, Khothatso Tšooana.
This case was on Monday deferred to 13 November 2023 due to the absence of presiding High Court judge, Justice Charles Hungwe.
This is despite the Court of Appeal granting a green light to the High Court to adjudicate over the case in May this year.
However, the trial has been postponed several times. The first postponement was prompted by the withdrawal of its prosecutors, Advocates Shaun Abrahams and Motene Rafoneke in June this year. The second postponement was as a result of the expiration of Justice Hungwe’s contract on 31 August 2023. However, the judge’s contract was renewed last month.
While it had been expected that the case would proceed on Monday, another Judge, Justice Tṧeliso Monapathi, postponed the matter to next Monday.
“Counsel the matter cannot continue this week as the presiding judge is not available this week, so the matter is being postponed to next Monday,” said Justice Monapathi.
Kamoli is accused alongside other four soldiers; Major Pitso Ramoepane, Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Corporal Mohlalefi Seitlheko and Sergeant Heqoa Malefane.
Even if the trial eventually takes off on Monday, it will be just until Friday as Justice Hungwe already indicated that he would not be available from 17 November until January next year.
Justice Hungwe stated this last month when Kamoli appeared before him in relation to another case in which he is accused of murdering former army commander, Maaparankoe Mahao on 25 June 2015. This case has been set down for 24 to 31 January 2024.
In this matter he is accused alongside Capt Nyakane, Captain Haleo Makara, Sergeant Lekhooa Moepi, Sergeant Motsamai Fako, Corporals Marasi ‘Moleli, Motšoane Machai, Mohlalefi Seitlheko and Tšitso Ramoholi.
