…Justice Mokoko accuses cops of colluding with criminals
Moorosi Tsiane
HIGH Court judge Tseliso Mokoko has lashed out at the police after three crucial exhibit guns used in the murders of radio personality Ralikonelo “Leqhashasha” Joki, Mothibe Mothibe and Thomello Ntsane mysteriously vanished under the cops’ watch and could not be produced in court as exhibits to finalise a disposal order.
What was meant to be a routine appearance to finalise the disposal order and sentencing of Joki’s killers, Mothusi Tlelase, Sootho Liphoto, Moabi Sesioana and Kamo Phakoe, turned into a courtroom storm on Thursday, with the judge openly accusing the police of reckless handling of evidence and possibly collusion with the criminal underworld.
Justice Mokoko was peeved after five Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) officers — retired Sub-Inspector Kubutu Kubutu, Inspector Makoloane, and Detective Constables Shale, Masenkane and Nkopane — failed to produce the two 7.5mm pistols and a 9mm firearm that had been used as exhibits in the high-profile murder trial.
Instead of producing the exhibits, the police officers started trading accusations over who had received the exhibits.
The guns had been put into police custody after they were produced as exhibits in November last year during the trial.
An irate Judge Mokoko demanded answers, making it clear the firearms’ disappearance was suspicious. LMPS officers have in the past faced accusations of colluding with criminals. They allegedly steal weapons from the state armouries to sell to criminals, a development that has caused an upsurge in violent crimes and catapulted Lesotho into the top six of the most homicidal nations in the world.
The 7.5mm and 9mm weapons were used to kill Joki and the others, while the second 7.5mm belonging to Mothibe had been stolen after his death.
Their disappearance threatens to jeopardise the final legal processes and potentially place the weapons back into the hands of criminals.
The first officer to be called to account was retired Sub-Insp Kubutu, who the court had ordered to secure the guns after they were exhibited. But to the shock of the entire courtroom, Kubutu claimed he had never received the guns.
“I was never given any exhibits, my Lord. PC Nthako never gave me any guns…” he said, adamant on his account, which forced the court to summon PC Nthako, a court–based officer, to clarify.
PC Nthako’s account starkly contradicted Kubutu’s.
“On 19 November 2024, three guns were handed in as exhibits,” Nthako testified. “After the court adjourned, I was instructed to return them to Sub-Insp Kubutu. He told me he had retired, but I reminded him this was the court’s order. I left the guns with him. He did take them.”
Kubutu was again dragged into the witness box but still insisted he had not received the murder weapons.
“My Lord, I told PC Nthako I cannot take the guns because I am on pension and have nowhere to place them. I told him to give them to PC Shale… I never took them.”
That explanation only aggravated the judge’s frustration. A visibly agitated Justice Mokoko tore into the inconsistencies in Kubutu’s account.
“Then how could that conversation have taken place while the court was still in session? I ordered that these guns be given to you after adjournment — and you were here,” he snapped.
The judge then revealed his deeper suspicion — that the police have a history of mishandling, or even trafficking, firearms meant for disposal.
“My instinct told me something like this might happen. It has come to my attention that disposal orders often fail because police rent out or sell guns to criminals,” he said bluntly. “And look where we are — the guns have grown legs and disappeared.”
He dismissed the possibility of members of the public stealing the weapons from the gallery.
“It cannot be the public. The guns were stolen by you — either one of you or all of you. You know where those guns are, and I want them brought here. I will not make any disposal order until they are returned.”
The grilling continued as the judge probed why none of the officers had reported the guns’ disappearance.
“There is something fishy happening here. Had I not asked about these guns, none of you would have come forward. Mr Kubutu, are you telling me you left those guns here in court?” he asked.
Kubutu insisted he directed they be given to PC Shale who, in turn, flatly denied ever being in court during the trial.
“I was never in court when these conversations took place. I have always been outside assisting Advocate Lephuthing. I know nothing about these guns,” Shale said.
With contradictions piling up and no credible explanation forthcoming, Judge Mokoko concluded that the police would not escape accountability. He issued a stern directive:
“All five investigating officers — and Commissioner of Police Advocate Borotho Matsoso himself — must appear before the High Court on 9 February 2026.
“As you leave here, go and investigate yourselves, find out who took those guns. I am not letting this go unpunished,” Justice Mokoko ordered.
He warned that the missing firearms are likely already in the hands of criminals, posing a deadly threat.
“These guns are out there in the hands of criminals, and innocent lives will be lost because of your recklessness,” he said.
The fully packed courtroom sat in stunned silence as the judge wrapped up the session, making it unmistakably clear that this was no ordinary lapse in police procedure — but a scandal that could expose a deeper rot in the handling of evidence in Lesotho’s criminal justice system.