…as suspended Murenzi’s fate remains unclear
…2016 Lesotho Times’ editor shooting case affected
Hopolang Mokhopi
SEVERAL criminal cases pending before suspended Senior Resident Magistrate, Peter Murenzi, remain in limbo as his future at the courts remains uncertain.
The Lesotho Times has learned that Magistrate Murenzi’s disciplinary hearing has been concluded, and a ruling from presiding officer, Justice Realeboha Mathaba, is now awaited.
Magistrate Murenzi was suspended in February following allegations that he was involved in an unlawful scheme to release inmates awaiting trial from the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) facilities. His suspension followed the arrest and suspension of LCS officer Ralekoti Mokhahlane.
The pair allegedly conspired to secure the release of five inmates: Hei “Lekaota” Nketsi, Moeketsi Rantheba, Lebajoa Mpeke, Molahlei Mpeke, and Retšelisitsoe Mpeke, all of whom were detained at the Maseru Central Correctional Institution.
Magistrate Murenzi is accused of granting questionable bail to the group and facilitating their release while they were still on remand. Initially charged with three counts, he now faces a single remaining charge, details of which remain undisclosed.
The disciplinary process was initiated following an investigation ordered by Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane, who directed High Court and Court of Appeal Registrar, Advocate ‘Mathato Sekoai, to investigate irregular bail rulings, including those allegedly issued by Magistrate Murenzi.
One of the cases in question involved the Mpeke brothers, who were remanded in November 2023 after being denied bail by Magistrate Lerato Ntelane for allegedly impersonating soldiers in Marakabei. Despite the High Court being the proper forum to hear any further bail applications, Magistrate Murenzi allegedly granted them M1000 bail each under suspicious circumstances.
Meanwhile, Lekaota and Rantheba are facing charges of conspiring to kill a key witness in the high-profile murder case of radio personality Ralikonelo “Leqhashasha” Joki.
Although their bail applications had also been denied, they were released in January under questionable circumstances reportedly facilitated by Trooper Mokhahlane.
Nketsi was rearrested shortly afterward, while Rantheba later turned himself in.
Nketsi and Rantheba are now standing trial alongside co-accused Moabi Sisioana and Sootho Liphoto in the High Court before Justice Tšeliso Mokoko for Joki’s 2023 murder. When re-arrested, both Nketsi and Rantheba told Magistrate Itumeleng Letsika that they were in their cells when an unfamiliar prison warder informed them they were free to leave.
Magistrate Murenzi later confirmed that he had ordered the release of the five accused in two separate cases, but denied any wrongdoing, stating that he had been the magistrate on call and had exercised his legal discretion.
Should he be found guilty, Justice Mathaba will recommend a course of action to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), potentially resulting in Magistrate Murenzi’s dismissal and reassignment of his cases. If acquitted, he will resume his duties.
However, if dismissed, his ongoing cases will have to restart before new magistrates – a scenario with serious legal and cost implications.
Among those cases is the trial of four Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) members charged with the 2016 attempted murder of former Lesotho Times and Sunday Express editor, Lloyd Mutungamiri.
The matter is already at an advanced stage, with the Crown having completed leading its witnesses. Mr Mutungamiri was flown from Zimbabwe under heavy security in March 2022 to testify, a process that would have to be repeated if the trial restarts.
The accused soldiers: then Military Intelligence boss Brigadier Rapele Mphaki, along with Khutlang Mochesane, Nyatso Tšoeunyane and Maribe Nathane, have been in custody since their arrest in 2017.
They this week expressed frustration to Central Chief Magistrate, ‘Matankiso Nthunya, over the lack of progress in their case since Magistrate Murenzi’s suspension in February.
Their lawyer, Adv Mohau Moshoeshoe, told the court that the accused had repeatedly been sent back from court without clarity on the status of their case. He said they had not been properly updated, and that remands were being conducted without notifying their legal representatives.
“Since the last appearance in January before Magistrate Murenzi, there has been poor record-keeping,” Adv Moshoeshoe said.
“The accused have been remanded on blue forms for months without proper documentation or notice to their lawyers.”
He also said the accused were informed that all matters before Magistrate Murenzi, including theirs, were suspended indefinitely.
Adv Moshoeshoe emphasized the seriousness of the matter, saying it had dragged on for years and was close to conclusion in the Magistrates Court.
Crown counsel, Adv Letsatsi Masoeu, said the prosecution was also in the dark, and had no role in the delay. He said the accused’s remand records would be produced once the trial resumes.
Magistrate Nthunya explained that Magistrate Murenzi’s disciplinary case was being handled by the JSC, and her role was limited to ensuring that available magistrates preside over cases.
“I became involved when Magistrate Murenzi appeared before Justice Mathaba, as I am his immediate supervisor,” Magistrate Nthunya said.
“The hearing has been completed, and we now await the ruling, which will determine the way forward.”
She said she had been instructed by Adv Sekoai to postpone all cases assigned to Magistrate Murenzi until further notice.
Given the situation, she advised the accused that they were free to seek bail from the High Court while awaiting the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.
