Caswell Tlali
MASERU — Phakiso Molise, the man who once achieved national notoriety by leading a police mutiny 15 years ago, escaped death by a whisker on Friday night after unknown gunmen shot him.
Molise, who was released from prison three months ago after serving 15 years behind bars, is currently recovering from a gunshot wound he sustained on the left side of his chest.
He is receiving treatment at Maseru Private Hospital.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Molise told the Sunday Express yesterday that he was visiting relatives in Naleli when the gunmen pounced.
He however said he was the only one shot when the attack took place.
“It was between 9:00pm and 9:30pm on Friday when gunmen attacked me at my relative’s home where I had visited,” Molise said.
“I do not know who shot me but I am hopeful that they will be arrested soon.”
Molise declined to give details of the attack saying police were still investigating.
He also refused to speculate whether the gunmen were targeting him or not.
Police spokesperson Masupha Masupha yesterday said he had not received a report on Molise’s attack.
Molise made national headlines when he led a crippling police strike in 1994 and a mutiny against the police in 1995.
After the mutiny, he fled to South Africa but was later arrested and extradited back to Lesotho.
For his crimes, Molise was sentenced to 15 years in jail in 1997.
In 2003 he escaped from prison while being taken to hospital for a medical check-up.
His escape forced the government to establish a commission of inquiry.
Molise was later arrested in South Africa and extradited back to Lesotho to complete his jail term.
He was released on July 10 this year.
Three weeks ago this paper met Molise for an interview over lunch.
In that interview he said he had repented and was now working on changing other people’s lives.
“Basotho have become a wicked society that needs change,” he said.
“People fail to live according to what they have been taught at school or in their churches.”