Hopolang Mokhopi
TWO South African men have appeared before the Maseru Magistrates’ Court facing charges of money laundering and drug-related offences after they were allegedly found in possession of cash, cocaine and cannabis.
Nash Pillah (38), of Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal, and Thabiso Ngidi (42), also of Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal, appeared before Magistrate Puseletso McPherson on Thursday. Advocate Shebe prosecuted the matter, while Advocate Sentšo Ramochela represented both accused.
According to the charge sheet, the pair are accused of committing the offences on 7 July 2026, at or near Maseru District Hospital.
The first count alleges that they unlawfully and intentionally acted in concert to acquire or possess M193,000 in cash, knowing or having reason to believe that the money was derived, directly or indirectly, from criminal activities in contravention of the laws of Lesotho.
In the second count, the two are charged with unlawful possession of drugs after allegedly being found with 0.7 kilogrammes of cocaine.
They also face a third count of unlawful possession of cannabis after police allegedly found them with 115.62 grammes of cannabis.
The matter was postponed to 16 July for bail, and both men were remanded in custody.
Meanwhile, in a separate case before the same court, 41-year-old Khapolo Thejane of Ha Tsolo, Lesia, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of drugs.
According to the charge sheet, Thejane was caught with illegal drugs on 17 June 2026, at Ha Tsolo in Maseru district. He was allegedly found with two packets of cocaine weighing 0.72 grammes and 0.67 grammes.
Crown Counsel, Adv Seeng Monyane, accepted the guilty plea and informed the court that the accused had no previous convictions.
Before accepting the plea, Magistrate McPherson informed Thejane that the offence carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment or a fine of M20,000 upon conviction.
Thejane told the court he understood the possible penalties and elected to proceed without legal representation or legal aid.
The court subsequently convicted him on his own plea.
In mitigation, Thejane appealed for leniency, saying he was self-employed and supported his family.
“I have a 19-year-old child who is studying at Limkokwing University, while my wife works as a domestic worker in South Africa. I also support another child. May the court have mercy on me. I bought this cocaine from a Nigerian man to sell here in Lesotho,” he told the court.
Magistrate McPherson postponed the matter to 21 July 2026 for sentencing.