Moorosi Tsiane

THE long-running trial of former Hlotse Police Station Commander, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Thabo Tšukulu, and three others accused of murdering Police Constable (PC) Mokalekale Khetheng resumed this week with new testimony from a key witness.

When the trial resumed on Monday, Crown Counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Hlalefang Motinyane called Detective Inspector Tankiso Lethoko to the stand.

D/Insp Lethoko detailed how investigators traced PC Khetheng’s remains from Ha Setho—where his body was discovered—through Mokhalinyane Police, to the Lesotho Funeral Service morgue, and ultimately to Lepereng, where he was buried.

His testimony came after a crucial ruling last year, in which trial judge, Charles Hungwe, deemed earlier statements and evidence provided by the accused at Ha Setho inadmissible, as they were not made freely and voluntarily.

SSP Tšukulu is charged alongside Superintendent Mathibeli Mofolo, Inspector Mabitle Matona, and Sub-Inspector Haleokoe Taasoane. The four stand accused of murdering PC Khetheng on 26 March 2016 and disposing of his body at Ha Setho, in the outskirts of Maseru.

In December 2023, defence lawyers Karabo Mohau KC and Zwelakhe Mda KC launched a trial within a trial, objecting to the evidence presented by Inspector Rapelang Nkeane. In his testimony, Insp Nkeane had stated that Mofolo, Matona, and Taasoane led the police investigation team to Ha Setho in Maseru, where they pointed out the location where PC Khetheng’s body had been left. The defence’s objection was upheld by Justice Hungwe in July 2024.

D/Insp Lethoko testified on Monday and Tuesday that upon arriving at Ha Setho, the police met with the local area chief, who confirmed that a corpse had been discovered there on the relevant dates and was collected by Mokhalinyane Police.

“From Ha Setho, we proceeded to Mokhalinyane Police, where officers confirmed that the corpse had been taken to the Lesotho Funeral Service morgue at Ha Mantsebo. Upon arrival there, we were informed that the body was among those later buried at Lepereng,” said Insp Lethoko.

He added that they then applied to the High Court for an order to exhume the body, which was granted.

“We went to Lepereng and exhumed the body. PC Khetheng’s brother, who was present, was called to identify him. In front of a large crowd, he confirmed that the body had not decomposed. The morgue officials explained that they had used phenol to preserve the body due to power cuts at the mortuary,” he testified.

After identification, the body was taken to Lesotho Funeral Service in Maseru, where forensic investigators conducted blood tests to confirm the identity of the deceased.

Later that same day, the police arrested SSP Tšukulu at Police Headquarters, and all four accused were subsequently charged with PC Khetheng’s murder.

When the court adjourned on Tuesday, SSP Tšukulu’s lawyer, Adv Mohau KC, had just begun his cross-examination of D/Insp Lethoko. He is expected to continue his questioning when the trial resumes next Monday.