Tefo Tefo
A MULTIMILLION maloti fraud and theft case involving former Standard Lesotho Bank employees and some businesspeople will be heard in March next year after a lawyer representing one of the accused persons withdrew from the case.
Advocate ‘Mole Khumalo told High Court judge, Justice ‘Maseshophe Hlajoane, on Wednesday last week he was withdrawing from the case after being informed his client, ‘Mamakae ‘Mefane, no longer required his services.
High Court Assistant Registrar, Staford Sharite, confirmed the development this week.
“The case has been allocated new dates for hearing. It will proceed from 14 to 17 March 2017 and from 27 to 31 March 2017,” he said.
“The new dates were set after a new lawyer was appointed to represent the second accused (Ms ‘Mefane) after she parted ways with her initial lawyer.
“Mr Koili Ndebele has been appointed to represent her and the time before the hearing date will enable the prosecution to give him the docket so that he can prepare for his defence,” he said.
Ms ‘Mefane and Mamello Makote are former Standard Lesotho Bank employees accused of committing the fraud and theft offences in 2013 while still in the employ of the financial institution.
The duo were jointly charged with three businesspeople and their companies.
The businessmen are Karabo Moohlo, who owns KB General Dealers and KB Construction Ltd; Thato Tšosane who owns Tšosane Transport and Construction Services and ‘Mabotsang ‘Matsoso who owns Mohau Transport (Pty) Limited.
They are all accused of defrauding the government of M4.3 million that was kept at Standard Lesotho Bank between February and April 2013.
After the surprise withdrawal from the case by Advocate Khumalo, Justice Hlajoane called all the prosecution and the defence lawyers to her chambers.
Upon their return, the judge announced the postponement of the case to Monday this week.
Advocate Khumalo had been appointed by the High Court to represent Ms ‘Mefane because she could not afford her own lawyer.
The accused are still on bail.
