Kabelo Masoabi
A SETHUBATHA village chief has testified in the Leribe Magistrate’s Court in a case involving a pistol allegedly used in a series of armed robberies, casting fresh light on how security agencies handle seized firearms.
Tankiso Sepitika (36) appeared before the court on Monday and Tuesday facing two counts of armed robbery.
The prosecution alleges that in 2014 Sepitika, armed with a pistol, stormed a shop owned by Indian nationals at Mpharane in Leribe, fired a shot into the roof and escaped with M8,900 in cash, cigarettes, airtime vouchers and cellular phones.
Sepitika is further accused of committing another armed robbery at Tsikoane in the same district, where he allegedly stole cigarettes, airtime vouchers and other items at gunpoint.
The court heard that after learning that Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) officers were searching for a pistol suspected to be in his possession, Sepitika surrendered the firearm to his village chief on 16 November 2014.
Under cross-examination, Chief ’Maphosholi Molapo of Sethubatha village in Leribe told the court that Sepitika arrived at her home that afternoon accompanied by his wife to hand over the pistol.
“He told me that he had received a call from a soldier who said they were coming to collect the gun,” Chief Molapo testified.
“He said he informed them that they would get it from the chief’s office after he had surrendered it. He was worried that the soldiers could harm him if they found the gun on him.”
Chief Molapo said she immediately informed the Maputsoe police commander, who promised to dispatch officers to collect the firearm. However, LDF soldiers arrived before the police and confiscated the gun.
She further testified that the following morning police officers dressed in civilian clothing arrived at her home with the accused, only to discover that the soldiers had already taken the pistol.
“Honestly speaking, I was skeptical about handing the gun to the LDF officers who arrived in large numbers in a bakkie,” she said.
“I tried to delay so that the police could arrive first, but it did not work.”
Chief Molapo told the court that together with an LDF officer who identified himself as Sergeant Kopano Makhabane, she drafted an evidence letter confirming that the soldiers had taken possession of the firearm.
The letter contained a description and serial number of the pistol, which she described as a small, golden-brown gun. A copy of the letter was handed in as an exhibit.
She said she later informed the Maputsoe police commander of the development.
After the proceedings, the prosecution told the Lesotho Times that police were struggling to retrieve the pistol from the LDF despite directives ordering that it be handed over as a court exhibit.
“There is something fishy about this pistol,” the prosecution said.
The court also noted that police statements relating to the scene of crime and scene of arrest were not read into evidence due to alleged irregularities raised by the defence, which were said to contradict the accused’s testimony.
Magistrate Rantja adjourned the matter to 29 January 2025 and ordered investigating officers to appear in person as final prosecution witnesses to explain their statements. ?
Murder-accused policing forum members granted bail
Meanwhile, the Leribe Magistrate’s Court has granted bail of M3,000 each to three members of the Mahateng Policing Forum accused of murder.
Tebello Mapalane (52), Taniele Ratikoane (36) and Thabang Motanyane (30) are accused of assaulting Thabelang Khauli with shamboks, leading to his death on 18 December 2025. Motanyane was suspected of stock theft at the time of the incident.
The trio will return to court on 27 January 2025.
Two charged with gang rape
Two men from Ha Sephapho in Leribe have appeared before the Magistrate’s Court charged with gang-raping a 52-year-old woman from the same village.
Mothibi Mothibi and Tlala Moleleki are accused of acting in concert to commit the offence on 27 November 2025, in contravention of Section 3 (1) and (2) read with Section 32 of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2003.
They were each granted bail of M3,000 under strict conditions, including non-interference with investigations and prosecution witnesses. They return to court on 27 January 2025.
Court rejects bid to reduce bail in chief assault case
In another case, a man accused of assaulting a chief at Likhetlane in Leribe has failed to have his bail reduced.
Khotso Mokeane had applied for his M1,500 bail to be reduced to M500 and for the removal of a M20,000 surety requirement, citing financial hardship.
However, Magistrate Thoora Semela dismissed the application, saying bail conditions reflect the seriousness of the offence.
“The offence is serious as it was committed against a public figure and community leader appointed by the government of Lesotho,” the magistrate said.
The accused will return to court on 5 February 2025.