ABC Member of Parliament’s (MP) daughter in law, Martha Kota-Moramotse’s casket
’Marafaele Mohloboli
A SON of a Lithoteng constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Lehlohonolo Moramotse is now a person of interest in the murder investigation of the latter’s daughter-in-law.
According to Maseru Urban District Commissioner, Senior Superintendent Motlatsi Mapola, Thabo Moramotse was called for questioning over the 22 June 2016 killing of Martha Kota-Moramotse (23).
Ms Kota-Moramotse was fatally shot while driving into the legislator’s Ha Seoli residence at around 8pm. Following the murder, the elder Mr Moramotse said he believed he was the target of the attack because his daughter-in-law was driving his car.
Last week police arrested a suspect, Pako Sekhonyana (28) from Masite Rothe in Ha Mokaoli, with Snr Supt Mapola saying they were looking for three more suspects in connection with the crime.
On 18 August, Mr Sekhonyana briefly appeared in the Magistrate’s Court charged with fatally shooting Ms Kota-Moramotse on the right breast. He was remanded in custody and will appear again before the court on 1 September.
However, the Maseru Urban District Commissioner this week told the Lesotho Times Thabo was called for questioning in connection with the murder case.
“Yes, he was called to Lithoteng police station for questioning as part of ongoing investigations. He is a person of interest in solving this murder case, and the investigations are at an advanced stage,” said Snr Supt Mapola.
“He was called to Lithoteng police station on the basis of the circumstances surrounding this murder, and his evidence gave police more information to dig deeper into the investigation.”
Sources privy to the matter told the Lesotho Times Mr Sekhonyana had implicated Thabo in the murder during his confession. The sources further alleged Thabo also made a confession, but it had not been attached to the docket.
“Both suspects (Mr Sekhonyana and Thabo) made their confessions before a magistrate,” said the source.
“I have since learnt both confessions were not attached to the docket as SSP Mapola took them for reasons known to him, which is quite funny because a confession forms part of the evidence attached in the docket.”
Added the source: “Procedurally, the magistrate who handled the confession would possess one copy, while the other is supposed to be attached in the docket. Besides, once both men have made such confessions, they ought to have been both remanded in custody, which is not the case.”
However, Snr Supt Mapola dismissed the allegation of the confessions, saying: “What is your interest in these confessions? No confessions were ever made, and I have even called the station commander at Lithoteng Police Station to ask about these confessions you are talking about. She told me there were no confessions annexed to the dockets because no confessions were ever made.”
However, a source from the Magistrate’s Court, who requested anonymity for fear of victimization, told the Lesotho Times the confessions were made.
“Yes, the confessions you are referring to were made,” the source said.
Contacted for comment, police spokesperson Supt Clifford Molefe said Thabo was still helping police with investigations.
“He hasn’t appeared before any court as he is still helping police with their investigations,” said Supt Clifford Molefe.
Efforts to get in touch with Mr Moramotse were fruitless at the time of going to print.
