…he was desperate to win Thabane’s favour
Moorosi Tsiane
FORMER Police Commissioner, Khothatso Tšooana, has alleged that ex-army commander, Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, masterminded the 2014 bombing of former First Lady, ‘Maesaiah Thabane’s (then Liabiloe Ramoholi) Moshoeshoe II residence in a desperate attempt to ingratiate himself with then Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and secure his job.
Testifying as the 25th state witness in the ongoing trial over the bombings of his own Ha Abia home and that of Ms Thabane, Dr Tšooana told the court that intelligence reports had suggested Kamoli’s actions were driven by fear and ambition.
“The reason Kamoli attacked Liabiloe’s place was because he believed that then Prime Minister Tom Thabane, who was Liabiloe’s lover, seemed to love the police more than the army. He feared he would lose his position and wanted to get closer to the premier. This intelligence kept surfacing repeatedly, and Liabiloe was also aware of it,” said Dr Tšooana.
The former police chief suggests that Kamoli’s plan was to create a crisis by bombing Liabiloe’s residence, then jump at the forefront of investigations to give Mr Thabane the impression that he was a proactive security leader.
He said that, anticipating potential danger, the former police chief had discreetly assigned two police officers to guard Liabiloe’s home, which was frequently visited by the Prime Minister.
“We didn’t want to raise alarm, so we only had two officers guarding the place in shifts.”
Recounting the events of the night of 26 January 2014, Dr Tšooana told the court, “We went to bed and everything was fine. Between 1am and 2am, we heard a very loud noise — as if it were thunder. My wife and I woke up, checked on the children, and they were fine. As we prepared to go back to bed, I received a call from Liabiloe saying there had been a shooting at her place and her children had been injured.”
He said he immediately contacted then Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Masupha Masupha, and arranged transport to Moshoeshoe II.
“When I arrived, police were already there, and later, an entourage of soldiers led by Kamoli also arrived.”
According to Dr Tšooana, Kamoli insisted that a joint investigative team be formed comprising members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), the National Security Service (NSS) and the police.
“He said he had Nyakane, who was a highly regarded explosives expert, and that the team should be led by DCP Keketso Monaheng (now retired). I told him I would deliberate on the matter.”
Dr Tšooana testified further that Kamoli urged that a meeting be held later that day at then – Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing’s Maseru West residence.
“Kamoli called to say there was a meeting at Metsing’s house at 2pm to discuss the bombings and that I should attend. But I was not feeling well, so I sent DCP Masupha instead. He later called to say he had been expelled and denied entry. I do not know what was discussed in that meeting, if it indeed continued.”
He said Kamoli’s unusually keen involvement in the case raised suspicions, given that intelligence had already reported unusual activity at the barracks the night before the bombings.
“The explosives found near my house even had an LDF badge on them.”
Dr Tšooana said he later sought assistance from then – South African Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, who dispatched a team to help with investigations. In April, he wrote a savingram to Kamoli seeking cooperation in arresting suspects.
“Kamoli refused. Instead, he called a press conference where he declared that a commander of the LDF starts with a capital ‘C’, while the commissioner starts with a small ‘c’. He said if the police wanted to arrest soldiers, they should fetch them from the barracks. He refused to hand over his soldiers, claiming the police would torture them.
“This showed he had received the savingram — but instead of responding officially, he mocked me publicly,” Dr Tšooana said.
During cross-examination, Advocate Letuka Molati, representing Kamoli, dismissed the allegations.
“Mr Tšooana, my client will tell this court that he never said to you that Nyakane was a bombing expert — his speciality is in Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA). He will also tell this court that he never proposed that a joint team be formed or led by DCP Monaheng, because he understood that was a police responsibility,” said Adv Molati.
The trial continues today, with Adv Molati expected to resume his cross-examination of Dr Tšooana.
Kamoli and Nyakane are charged alongside Pitso Ramoepane, Mohlalefi Seitlheko, and Malefane Heqoa. They face charges of attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
