“DCP Makharilele lied” – Kamoli

…accuses lead investigator of misleading High Court

Moorosi Tsiane

INCARCERATED former Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) commander Tlali Kamoli has attacked the credibility of the lead investigator in the high-profile 2014 bombings trial, accusing Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sera Makharilele of giving false and misleading evidence before the High Court.

Kamoli, who is standing trial alongside four former soldiers over the 27 January 2014 coordinated bomb attacks targeting the homes of former First Lady ‘Maesaiah Thabane and former Police Commissioner Khothatso Tšooana, urged the court to disregard Makharilele’s testimony, describing it as “nothing but lies” based largely on hearsay.

The five soldiers face charges of attempted murder and malicious damage to property.

Kamoli’s attack on DCP Makharilele followed the senior police officer’s earlier testimony in which he claimed investigations into the bombings were repeatedly frustrated by Kamoli himself, who allegedly refused to hand over soldiers suspected of involvement.

During his evidence-in-chief, DCP Makharilele told the court the investigation was hampered by political interference. He said the investigative team was disbanded during the Pakalitha Mosisili-led coalition government before being reconstituted after Thomas Thabane returned to power and Kamoli had left the LDF.

He further testified that efforts to secure the surrender of suspects through then Police Commissioner Khothatso Tšooana were allegedly blocked by Kamoli, making it difficult for investigators to make progress.

Under cross-examination, DCP Makharilele rejected defence claims that investigators had shielded senior military officers from prosecution. Defence lawyers suggested that Major General Ramanka Mokaloba had initially been earmarked for prosecution before investigators decided instead to charge Kamoli.

DCP Makharilele denied the allegation, telling the court that, after consultations with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), investigators resolved to use Maj-Gen Mokaloba as an accomplice witness based on the evidence available at the time.

However, when Kamoli took the witness stand on Tuesday, led by his lawyer, Advocate Letuka Molati, he insisted that DCP Makharilele had deliberately misled the court.

Asked whether the court should accept the police officer’s testimony, Kamoli answered in the negative.

“DCP Makharilele lied to the court and the court should not take his testimony,” Kamoli said.

Kamoli specifically disputed DCP Makharilele’s evidence concerning Major General Ramanka Mokaloba, who held the rank of brigadier at the time of the bombings. He argued that the police officer falsely claimed Maj Gen Mokaloba had implicated him as the mastermind behind the attacks.

According to Kamoli, Maj Gen Mokaloba’s own testimony contradicted DCP Makharilele’s version.

“He said Brigadier Mokaloba said I was the one who planned the bombings, but when giving his evidence Brigadier Mokaloba, under cross-examination, told this court that I never instructed anyone to bomb any place,” Kamoli testified.

Kamoli said Maj Gen (Brigadier in 2015) Mokaloba had instead testified that the only instruction he received was to stage gunfire at Ha Abia and Moshoeshoe II.

“He actually said I instructed him to go and make gun shooting sounds at Ha Abia and Moshoeshoe II, and he said he advised me that Moshoeshoe II was too close to the airbase and soldiers could end up shooting at each other,” Kamoli told the court.

Kamoli further argued that much of DCP Makharilele’s testimony was based on information allegedly obtained from people who never appeared before the court to confirm it.

“His testimony is based on things that he heard from other people, and most of the things he said were never confirmed by the people he claimed gave him that information. The court should not take his testimony,” Kamoli said.

The defence maintains that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on hearsay and inconsistent witness accounts, while the State argues that the evidence presented demonstrates Kamoli’s central role in planning and executing the attacks.

Kamoli is standing trial alongside Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Major Pitso Ramoepana, Corporal Mohlalefi Seitlheko and Staff Sergeant Heqoa Malefane.

The trial continues.

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