. . . Ritual murder suspect appears in SA court
By Billy Ntaote
MASERU –– Lesotho’s most wanted suspect Lehlohonolo Scott was finally arrested at the weekend by the South African police — almost two years after his dramatic escape from the Maseru Central Prison.
The double ritual murder suspect was arrested in Durban’s Rockville suburb on Saturday following his mysterious escape from the high-security Maseru Central Prison on October 14, 2012.
Scott, who was awaiting trial for the alleged murder of Moholobela Seetsa and Kamohelo Mohata on January 12 and June 12 2012 respectively at the time of his sensational escape, briefly appeared before the Durban North Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday this week.
The 27-year-old Koalabata resident, who is charged alongside his mother for the two suspected murders, was remanded in custody and is expected back in the Durban North Magistrate’s Court on April 24.
The Lesotho Times has since established that Scott’s lawyer, only identified as Advocate Shamir, had sought the release of his client on bail — only for Interpol to successfully oppose it citing he was a flight risk.
The court then ruled the case should be postponed to April 24 when Advocate Shamir is expected to make a formal bail application for his client.
Scott — who was arrested on July 12 2012 alongside his 54-year-old mother ‘Malehlohonolo, who was released on M500 bail in August 2013 — has been on the run since his famous prison-break, which has since become an embarrassment to the Lesotho Correctional Service.
Contacted for comment, Scott’s local lawyer, Advocate Thulo Hoeane on Tuesday confirmed his client’s arrest and subsequent appearance in court. Hoeane also said Scott — who has been reported arrested on numerous occasions in the past, only for the apprehension to prove false — had now been captured “for real”.
Hoeane said: “I can confirm that Lehlohonolo Scott was arrested in Durban on Saturday.
“This is not another false alarm relating to Scott’s arrest. And I’m confirming this as his legal representative because I have been in touch with my counterpart, Advocate Shamir in South Africa, regarding the arrest.
“I have also learned that Scott appeared before the Durban North Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for a formal bail-application.
“Right now, I can confirm that Scott is still in the custody of the South African Police Service in Durban.”
However, the Lesotho Times understands Scott’s case might take yet another dramatic twist after it emerged he has “genuine” South African identification documents.
This development could frustrate efforts to extradite him to Lesotho, as Shamir has reportedly already revealed his client is a bona-fide South African.
The Lesotho Times could however, not officially confirm this development.
4 comments
Comments are closed.