…as retired magistrate returns to private practice
Hopolang Mokhopi
FORMER Colleagues at Maseru Magistrates Court fought back tears on Friday as they bade farewell to former Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Murenzi, honouring the Rwandan-born jurist for choosing to serve Lesotho’s justice system for 28 years rather than return home after completing his studies.
“He chose Lesotho”
Magistrate Nkhethoa Molapo told the gathering that Advocate Murenzi, though not Mosotho by birth, had dedicated his career to dispensing justice in the country.
“Everything has its time, and although we do not know when that time will come, only God knows. Mr Murenzi, wherever you are going, go with this love. May the rains of blessings always fall on you,” she said.
Chief Magistrate ‘Matankiso Nthunya, who worked with Adv Murenzi in both Leribe and Maseru, said he had “never turned his back on the country” after joining the Judiciary, and described him as someone whose duties continued reliably “as though she were present” even in her absence.
Resident Magistrate Motlatsi Kolisang, who has known Adv Murenzi since his own days as an advocate, called him a mentor whose influence reached beyond the courtroom, and thanked him on behalf of the Judicial Officers Association of Lesotho for his “leadership and dedication” as a member.
Senior Resident Magistrate Thamae Thamae, a former classmate of Adv Murenzi’s at the National University of Lesotho, said he had been “not only a colleague… but also a parent, mentor, friend and brother,” and urged him to “keep his chin up” in his next chapter.
In his vote of thanks, Adv Murenzi invoked ubuntu – “a person is a person because of other people” – and reflected on the toll of the past year and a half.
“It has been a painful journey. I had sleepless nights and lost weight,” he said. “But by the grace of God, here I am. I am now gaining weight again.”
Already back at the bar
Adv Murenzi’s retirement was compulsory, not chosen. He has since returned to legal practice, obtaining a practising certificate in June, and made his courtroom comeback representing Basotho National Party leader Machesetsa Mofomobe, who faces charges over an alleged M5 billion drug manufacturing and possession operation involving three Chinese nationals and another Mosotho man. Adv Murenzi successfully applied for Mr Mofomobe’s bail on conditions matching those granted to the four co-accused charged earlier in June; Mr Mofomobe was released on M5,000 bail and M50,000 surety.
First admitted as an advocate in 2000 before opting to serve the State, Adv Murenzi said he has not settled on a specialty.
“I am not yet attached to any speciality. I am a person who has a specialisation with a postgraduate degree, which I’m not disclosing to you now. But for the time being, as a practising lawyer, I’m a jack of all trades. I will follow my client’s instructions,” he said.
He argued his years on the bench, spanning every area of jurisdiction, leave him equipped for either side of the courtroom.
“You wouldn’t expect me to go to Masimong when I have a practising certificate,” he said. “If my career or my goal is the protection of human rights, you can protect human rights either as a judge or as defence counsel, or even as a prosecutor. Because either way, you are guided by facts and the law. It is just one face of the same coin.”
The scandal behind the exit
The Judicial Service Commission, at its 329th sitting in August last year, endorsed High Court Judge Realeboha Mathaba’s recommendation that Adv Murenzi be removed from office after a disciplinary panel found him guilty of unlawfully releasing murder suspects on bail.
He had been suspended since February 2025 over the release of five inmates from Maseru Central Correctional Institution, allegedly in conspiracy with Lesotho Correctional Service officer Ralekoti Mokhahlane and prosecutor Matias Chopho. Mokhahlane has since resigned from the LCS; Chopho remains a prosecutor and did not face disciplinary proceedings.
The investigation was ordered by then Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane after questions arose over a string of bail rulings. Among those released were Hei “Lekaota” Nketsi and Moeketsi Rantheba, both facing charges over an alleged plot to kill a State witness in the murder case of radio personality Ralikonelo “Leqhashasha” Joki. Both men were later re-arrested.
Adv Murenzi has confirmed he ordered the five releases across two separate matters but denies wrongdoing, insisting he was exercising legitimate discretion as the magistrate on call. The disciplinary hearing, presided over by Justice Mathaba from May 2025, saw Court of Appeal Registrar Adv ‘Mathato Sekoai prosecute and Court of Appeal Assistant Registrar Adv Mosito Rabotsoa represent him. Rather than challenge Justice Mathaba’s findings in court, Adv Murenzi chose to return to private practice.