…and selling them to famo gangsters
…they join police officers who have been fomenting the scandal
Hopolang Mokhopi
THE Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) has launched a wide-ranging investigation into an alleged syndicate of soldiers accused of stealing firearms from the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) armoury and selling them to notorious famo gangs, the Sunday Express has learned.
The probe has already led to the arrest of two serving soldiers, with police sources indicating that more arrests are imminent as investigators close in on what is believed to be a long-running and well-organised criminal network involving serving soldiers, retirees and former LDF members.
Sources further allege that the investigation has drawn in political figures, with one opposition party leader expected to report to Police Headquarters in Maseru tomorrow to be questioned in connection with the alleged theft of state firearms.
As the investigation gathers momentum, it threatens to expose deep-seated weaknesses within the security sector and a dangerous pipeline through which weapons are allegedly being diverted from state armouries into the hands of violent criminal gangs.
Highly placed police sources say the LMPS has assembled a specialised team of detectives to dismantle the syndicate, which is suspected of bleeding military armouries dry while arming criminal gangs terrorising communities.
“This is not the work of one or two rogue soldiers. It is a network that has been operating quietly for years,” said a source close to the investigation.
How the syndicate works
According to investigators, soldiers would systematically steal damaged or decommissioned firearms from the LDF armoury, smuggling out individual components over time to avoid detection.
“A firearm is like a vehicle, even when it is broken, its parts can be sourced and repaired,” the source said.
“What these soldiers do is steal damaged guns, take them to their homes and fix them.”
The source explained that the suspects would steal firearm components over time.
“On one day a barrel would be taken, and on another day a spring. These parts were removed from damaged firearms, including AK-47s and Galil rifles, which are high-calibre weapons. When we raided the homes of the two suspects who have already been charged, we found several firearm parts.”
The syndicate is said to involve serving soldiers as well as those who have retired or resigned from the LDF.
According to investigators, once the weapons were reassembled, members outside the army would approach buyers, mainly famo gang members, and sell the firearms for between M70 000 and M100 000.
“Some of these firearms are believed to have been taken to South Africa, where they are allegedly used by zama zamas (illegal miners), but ongoing investigations will establish their whereabouts,” the source said.
Investigators say the probe has also uncovered disturbing links between stolen military firearms and private security details guarding politicians, many of whom are former soldiers.
“There is a member of parliament coming in for questioning on Monday. We have discovered that some of the stolen guns are in the hands of bodyguards attached to MPs,” the source said.
The court case
Two Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) soldiers, believed to be the first batch from this syndicate being investigated, appeared before Maseru Magistrate Nkhethoa Molapo on Friday, charged with the aggravated theft of LDF firearms.
The accused are Corporal Letsoepa (39), service number 52215, of Malingoaneng in Mokhotlong, and Corporal Sechoala, service number 52425, of Lekokoaneng Ha Setai.
According to the charge sheet, the two are accused of unlawfully and intentionally stealing LDF property during November 2025 at or near Makoanyane Barracks in the district of Maseru. The prosecution alleges that the accused acted jointly and in furtherance of a common purpose.
The stolen items are listed as five Galil rifles, four AK-47 rifles, nine 9mm pistols, and two 7.65mm pistols, all property of the Lesotho Defence Force, which was in the accused’s possession by virtue of their employment. It is alleged that they intended to permanently deprive the LDF of the firearms.
The charge was read and explained to the accused in the language they understood (Sesotho), and they confirmed that they understood it. They were also informed of their right to legal representation of their choice, their right to apply for bail, and the possible sentence the offence may attract if they are convicted.
The two are represented by Advocates Ithabeleng Phamotse and Rasekoai Thoahlane.
They were remanded in custody after their brief appearance. Crown prosecutor Advocate Keketso Motiki asked the court to defer the bail proceedings.
“We have agreed with counsel for the accused that the bail hearing should not be entertained today but be postponed to 10 February 2026,” Adv Motiki said.
Adv Phamotse and Adv Thoahlane concurred.
Crown prosecutor Adv Keketso Motiki applied for the postponement of bail proceedings.
“We have agreed with defence counsel that the bail application will not proceed today and be postponed to 10 February 2026,” Adv Motiki told the court.
The defence concurred, and the accused were remanded in custody.
Authorities tight-lipped
Contacted for comment, LDF spokesperson, Colonel Sakeng Lekola, declined to discuss the matter, citing the risk of interfering with police investigations.
On the other hand, police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli, said on Friday that he was not yet aware of the case but promised to inquire. However, repeated follow-up calls went unanswered by the time of publication.
A troubling pattern
The unfolding scandal is the latest in a long and troubling history of state firearms finding their way into criminal hands.
Previously, only Lesotho Mounted Police Service members had been linked to the theft of state firearms. Revelations that LDF soldiers are also involved will send cold shivers down the spines of many Basotho.
One of the most serious incidents of the stealing of state arms involved the theft of 75 firearms from the Mafeteng Police Station armoury. Three police officers later confessed to the crime, admitting they sold the weapons to criminal gangs. By November 2021, police had recovered only seven of the stolen firearms.
In 2023, two police officers were dismissed from the force after they were found in possession of stolen rifles allegedly meant for sale to a suspect involved in illegal mining in South Africa. The two police constables, Poloko Lehoko and Sempe Theko, appeared before a magistrate on 31 July 2023 on charges of firearms theft and were subsequently dismissed from the police service.
In August 2023, 23 pistols kept as exhibits at the LMPS Robbery and Car Theft Squad (RCTS) went missing. Four police officers; Tumelo Monontši (31), Kamohelo Borotho (25), Relebohile Moloi (29) and Motloang Lelimo (29), were implicated. They were also found in possession of 16 rounds of ammunition and were linked to illegal mining activities.
In October 2024, Socialist Revolutionaries (SR) leader Advocate Teboho Mojapela was questioned at Police Headquarters after he was intercepted near Maseru Bridge over the high-calibre firearms carried by his bodyguards.
In June 2025, four more police officers were hauled before the courts for allegedly operating a corrupt firearms licensing racket that supplied deadly weapons to criminals in exchange for bribes of M10 000 per licence, plus a M150 000 “thank-you” payment. Police reports further indicated that one firearm was sold for M70 000. The accused are Rantšo Makhakhe (48) of Qoaling Police Station, Reekelitsoe Motoena (32) of the Special Operations Unit, Mashalane Tsita (34) of Pitso Ground, and Pule Akhente (33) of Maseru Central Charge Office.
The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Commander, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, has previously also issued a stern warning to soldiers involved in famo groups, instructing them to disengage. He said the army was not a home for criminals and would deal decisively with offenders.
While only police officers have previously been implicated in the theft of state firearms, revelations that Lt-Gen Letsoela’s soldiers are also involved in the scam are likely to rile the no-nonsense army commander.