Moorosi Tsiane
FORMER First Lady, ’Maesaiah Thabane, has told the High Court how a loud explosion shattered the early morning silence at her Moshoeshoe II home on 27 January 2014, leaving her residence engulfed in thick smoke and her children seriously injured.
Testifying on Thursday before Justice Charles Hungwe, Ms Thabane vividly recounted the terrifying moments when soldiers allegedly bombed her home. She was led in evidence by Crown Counsel Motene Rafoneke in the ongoing attempted murder trial involving former army commander, Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, and his co-accused.
Kamoli is standing trial alongside Major Pitso Ramoepana, Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Sergeant Malefane Heqoa and Corporal Mohlalefi Seitlheko.
Ms Thabane said she had earlier received a warning from then Commissioner of Police, Khothatso Tšooana, about intelligence suggesting her home could be targeted.
“I was informed that there was intelligence that my house was going to be attacked and that I should not be surprised to see police officers in my yard, as it was their responsibility to protect me,” Ms Thabane said.
She told the court that she was asleep when a loud explosion jolted her awake.
“I heard a loud bang and initially thought it was a gas cylinder bursting, but the room quickly filled with dark smoke,” she said. “What followed were several gunshots.”
In panic, she called out to Nthabeleng Lepheana, who was in the house along with Victor Ferreira and Keneuoe Letsie.
“I called Nthabeleng as I went to open the door. When I opened it, I met her there and she simply said, ‘please help me’,” Ms Thabane testified.
“She came into my bedroom and I then called Victor and Keneuoe.”
According to her testimony, all three arrived with serious injuries.
“When they came into my bedroom, I noticed they had severe wounds and were bleeding heavily,” she said. “I tried to dress the wounds, but it was clear it was futile.”
She said she immediately contacted Dr Tšooana, seeking urgent assistance.
“I informed him that my house had been attacked and asked for help to take the children to hospital,” she said.
She also contacted a taxi driver, Tšekele Sello, hoping he would arrive quickly.
Ms Thabane further told the court that someone later knocked on her window offering help, but she initially ignored it out of fear.
“The first time I did not respond. On the second knock, the person identified himself as Libeso, so I opened,” she said.
“He assisted me in taking the children to Lehlakeng Clinic.”
The children were later transferred to Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital after losing significant amounts of blood.
Ms Thabane said that upon returning home at around 9am, she found a large crowd gathered at the scene.
“There were police officers who instructed me not to allow anyone to tamper with anything, as they would return,” she said.
She testified that shortly after the police left, three men in green overalls arrived claiming to be soldiers.
“They came with a ladder and said they could assist by covering the hole in the roof with a sail in case it rained,” she said.
“I refused and told them not to interfere as police investigations were still pending. They then left.”
Among those present at the scene, she said, were then National Security Service Director General Mohlakala Lerotholi, NSS member Makhotso Matiase, neighbours and Mr Sello.
Police later returned and inspected the roof.
“They climbed up and after some time came down, saying they had found what they were looking for,” she said.
Ms Thabane further testified that Kamoli later arrived at the scene accompanied by other soldiers.
“He inspected my bedroom and the children’s room and said, ‘when things are like this, I will reveal my true colours’,” she said.
She added that shortly afterwards, Dr Tšooana informed her that his Ha-Abia residence had also been attacked.
The trial continues.