Moorosi Tsiane
THE four men accused of gunning down popular radio presenter, Ralikonelo “Leqhashasha” Joki, will have to wait until 3 December 2025 to know their fate.
This after High Court Judge Tšeliso Mokoko this week reserved judgment in a case that will determine whether the quartet is guilty of murder or not.
The Crown, led by Advocate Christopher Lephuthing, and the defence, represented by Advocate Lepeli Molapo, made their final submissions on Monday this week — closing a case that has gripped the nation since Joki’s brutal assassination outside his workplace, Tšenolo FM, at Ha Thamae on 14 May 2023.
The accused — Sootho Liphoto, Mothusi Tlelase, Moabi Sesioana, and Kamo Phakoe — are charged with Joki’s murder in what prosecutors described as a calculated hit.
Messrs Tlelase, Liphoto, and Sesioana are also charged with the 20 May 2023 murders of Parliament Committee Coordinator Mothibe Mothibe and Thomello Ntsane, sister to Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mamello Ntsane.
In his closing arguments, Adv Lephuthing painted a picture of a cold-blooded conspiracy, arguing that the four men should all be found guilty because they acted in concert.
He said the killers meticulously planned Joki’s execution, citing a testimony from Teboho Kumi, the driver who unwittingly transported the men to Ha Thamae on the night of the murder.
“When Kumi drove them there, he had no idea what they were up to until Tlelase and Liphoto stepped out of the car armed with pistols, saying they were going to kill Leqhashasha,” Adv Lephuthing said.
“At that moment, Phakoe remained in the car, holding Kumi hostage to ensure the plan went smoothly. His role, though indirect, was vital.”
He told the court that the two gunmen approached Joki’s vehicle and “shot at him mercilessly, even after his car had spun out of control”.
Turning to the Mothibe killing, Adv Lephuthing alleged that Moabi had expressed interest in obtaining Mothibe’s firearm.
“They later tracked him down, shot him, and stole his gun, which they handed over to someone at the Maseru Border Post,” he said.
The weapon was later recovered from Moabi when he allegedly surrendered it to the police.
He further revealed that Moabi had attempted to lure others, including a man named Mpho Matamane, into the murder plot by claiming that Mothibe was having an affair with Matamane’s wife.
Adv Lephuthing also told the court that after the killings, Moabi distributed M5 000 between Liphoto and Tlelase as “payment for the job”.
“All evidence presented by the Crown’s witnesses corroborates. It clearly establishes a common purpose among all four accused. We therefore urge the court to convict them on all counts,” he said.
In defence, Adv Molapo argued that the Crown’s case was riddled with gaps, inconsistencies, and coercive police tactics.
He said the prosecution had failed to establish the doctrine of common purpose, insisting that there was no evidence of a meeting or agreement to kill Joki.
“There is absolutely no evidence that a plan to murder Joki ever existed. My Lord, Moabi and Phakoe must be acquitted,” Adv Molapo said.
He also criticised the Crown for not conducting a loco inspection — a visit to the crime scene — arguing that the omission left the court to “make assumptions about how and where events unfolded”.
He maintained that Moabi was not present at the scene and that Phakoe, who was allegedly in the car, had no knowledge of what was happening.
“He didn’t hold anyone hostage, nor did he carry a gun. The Crown never disputed this in cross-examination,” Adv Molapo said.
The defence further accused the police of torturing the accused and conducting a flawed, reactive investigation.
“The Crown failed to produce any tangible evidence linking Liphoto and Tlelase to the shooting. Instead, they relied on forced confessions and compromised witnesses.”
Adv Molapo also argued that evidence collected in South Africa — where some firearms were allegedly retrieved — was obtained illegally and should not be admissible in court.
“What the accused may be guilty of is possession of stolen property, not murder. The Crown’s witnesses fabricated stories to implicate my clients. Moabi was clear that the black bag seized from him contained money and gold, not firearms.”
After hearing both sides, Justice Mokoko reserved judgment to 3 December 2025.