Staff Reporter
MASERU — The Randburg Magistrate’s Court will on July 16 hear the extradition case of businessman, Jessie Ramakatane, who is accused of masterminding the April 22, 2009 attempted coup against former premier Pakalitha Mosisili.
The hearing for the extradition, which has dragged in the courts for whole of last year, was set for June 4 and 5, but did not take off after Ramakatane failed to show up.
Ramakatane was arrested by Interpol in Johannesburg’s Randburg suburb in South Africa on April 24 last year.
He is being accused of bankrolling and organising the 15 mercenaries who attacked State House and Makoanyane Barracks on the night of April 22, 2009.
Although Ramakatane is wanted in Lesotho in connection with the attacks, his arrest last year was in connection with the 2007 attacks on ministers’ houses.
The Sunday Express understands that Ramakatane was released on a R20 000 bail after he appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on April 26.
During the hearing in Randburg Ramakatane was told that he was wanted in Lesotho for his alleged role in the 2007 post-election disturbances.
He was wanted together with two other men, Lefa Ramantsoe and Thabiso Mahase, with whom he was said to have planned the attacks.
Ramantsoe and Mahase have since returned to Lesotho and charges against them were dropped late last year.
The trio faced 19 charges that included attempted murder, robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
It is alleged that a group of armed men attacked the home of Minister Motloheloa Phooko in Lithabaneng during the late hours of June 10, 2007.
They attacked two members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Private Ntaote and Private Mosebo, who had been assigned to guard the residence.
The prosecution alleges that Ntaote and Mosebo were dispossessed of two u.56 calibre rifles, 60 rounds of ammunition, a two-way portable radio (walkie-talkie) and two sim cards.
The group held the two soldiers captive and launched a similar attack on the nearby residence of the then minister Popane Lebesa where Privates Moso and Lenatha of the Lesotho Defence Force were on duty.
During that attack Moso and Lenatha were dispossessed of two 5.56 calibre rifles, 60 rounds of ammunition and a walkie–talkie radio.
When Private Lenatha offered resistance, he was struck on the left hand by an AK47 rifle and was “flung to the ground and kicked”.
The four soldiers were taken to Ha Matala where they were later released.
The prosecution further claims that on the night of June 14 the same group attacked the now Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing’s house.
Private Maqoto and Private Sebajoe, the two soldiers who had been assigned to guard the minister, were robbed of their guns and ammunition.
The men also hijacked a government vehicle from one Maanesa Moloantoa.
On June 17, the prosecution claims, the same group also hijacked a vehicle from Peace Corps.
They also ambushed a military vehicle travelling from Teyateyaneng to Maseru.
From there they also attacked soldiers who had mounted a road block along the same road and got away with two riffles and a 9 mm pistol.
The prosecution says the group also tried to kill Assistant Commissioner of Police Dlamini Mphatšoane.
The men are also alleged to have attacked some officers who were on patrol in Maseru.
From the police officers, the group took two M16 riffles, three SP1 auto pistols and a 9mm pistol.
Ramakatane is already fighting extradition to Lesotho to face trial for the April 22, 2009 attacks on the State House and Makoanyane Barracks.
Seven of the 15 men Ramakatane is alleged to have recruited for the operation are already serving jail terms at Maseru Central Prison.
They have been convicted of murder, attempted murder, robbery, illegal possession of firearms and kidnapping.
If Ramakatane is extradited he will face almost the same charges.
But on top of those he might have to face trial for the 19 charges relating to the 2007 attacks.