…fresh hurdle emerges over sought documents
Moorosi Tsiane
THE long, drawn-out trial of police officers accused of killing Police Constable (PC) Mokalekale Khetheng has been delayed yet again, with the defence accusing the Crown of failing to provide crucial documents.
Advocate Karabo Mohau KC, representing former Hlotse Police Station Commander Senior Superintendent (SSP) Thabo Tšukulu, told the court that the state had again failed to hand over the requested detention and occurrence books and had, instead, supplied irrelevant material.
“Some of the documents that could enable us to determine how to proceed have not been availed. Some of the documents we were given are irrelevant. Our aim is to conduct a meaningful defence,” Adv Mohau said.
Trial Judge, Charles Hungwe, questioned why the issue, first raised on Monday before adjournment, was still unresolved.
“On Monday you referred to the letter and the documents, and we adjourned on the note that you would discuss the issue with the Crown. Today you come back with the same issue. On 3 May 2022 you raised the same matter with Mr Abrahams (then prosecutor), and books were brought to court,” Justice Hungwe said.
In response, Adv Mohau said the defence had requested the documents long back in writing but received no response, leaving them unable to proceed.
“We are uncomfortable with the manner in which we are treated. We are blamed for dragging our feet when the delay is due to the Crown. If the documents were brought to us on time, we would be able to proceed,” he argued.
For the Crown, Adv Masenate Sekoala said they had complied with Monday’s order by submitting the books to defence lawyer Advocate Kabelo Letuka. However, Adv Letuka later said some were missing and promised to send a letter specifying the dates required.
“The letter eventually arrived, and we have been trying to secure the occurrence books sought by the defence,” Adv Sekoala said.
Judge Hungwe postponed the case to 13 October 2025, expressing hope that the dispute over documents would be resolved by then.
“We hope there won’t be any problem of discovering the sought documents,” he said.
In June this year, Justice Hungwe dismissed a joint application for discharge by SSP Tšukulu and his co-accused Senior Inspector (S-Insp) Mabitle Matona and Sub-Inspector (Sub-Insp) Haleokoe Taasoane. They are jointly charged with Supt Mofolo, who did not seek discharge.
The four face charges of murdering PC Khetheng in March 2016 before disposing of his body at Ha Setho, on the outskirts of Maseru.