Mohalenyane Phakela
THE family of slain former army commander, Lieutenant-General Maaparankoe Mahao was yesterday joined by other Basotho who also lost relatives during the tenure of the previous regime in calling on the new government to ensure that perpetrators were swiftly brought to book.
The Mahao family made the plea during yesterday’s unveiling ceremony of a monument in honour of the late Lt-Gen Mahao in Mokema.
On behalf of the government, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Machesetsa Mofomobe assured the gathering that the perpetrators would be prosecuted.
Lt-Gen Mahao was fatally shot by soldiers in Mokema on 25 June 2015. The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) subsequently claimed Lt-Gen Mahao was resisting arrest when he was killed, which the family dismissed as untrue.
The Mahao family accused the army of killing him in cold blood basing on the account of his nephews who were with him during the incident.
After the killing, then premier Pakalitha Mosisili asked the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to help establish the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident, resulting in a Commission of Inquiry led by retired Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi of Botswana.
The 10-member commission carried out its investigations between 31 August and 23 October 2015 and recommended, among other things, that government should investigate the killing and prosecute those found to be responsible.
It also recommended that then LDF commander Lt-Gen Tlali Kamoli be relieved of his duties “in the interest of restoring trust and acceptance of the LDF to the Basotho nation”.
Lt-Gen Kamoli was eventually retired in December 2016.
Other recommendations of the Phumaphi inquiry included the suspension of officers implicated in cases of murder, attempted murder and treason while investigations into their cases proceeded in line with international best practice”.
Dr Mosisili also announced in June 2016 that an investigation into the killing was underway. However, the Mahao family accused the former government of deliberately stalling the probe.
Speaking at yesterday’s unveiling ceremony, the late former army commander’s brother, Professor Nqosa Mahao, accused the Dr Mosisili-led regime of stopping investigations into the former’s killing.
“The police were ordered to stop the investigation of my brother’s death by Mosisili’s government which is a clear indication that there was a criminal intent behind the shooting,” Prof Mahao said.
“We want to see justice and it is only when his killers are arrested and prosecuted that the family will find closure. Since the previous government did not do us justice, we are pinning our hopes on the Thabane-led government which Basotho did the right thing by electing into power in the 3 June elections.”
The Thabane-led four-party governing coalition was formed after the All Basotho Convention combined its 48 seats with the nine of the Alliance for Democrats, the five of the Basotho National Party and one of the Reformed Congress of Lesotho following the 3 June snap polls which produced a hung parliament.
Prof Mahao said the family would only allow the government to offer his brother a deserved state funeral after his killers were brought to book.
He also accused the Mosisili government of issuing the wrong version of the Phumaphi Report which stated that the Lt-Gen Mahao was illegally appointed as LDF commander by Dr Thabane during the latter’s first tenure as prime minister in 2014 before being removed by Dr Mosisili who reinstated Lt-Gen Kamoli in 2015.
“The true version of the Phumaphi report which I have a copy of, says on page 55 item M that Lt-Gen Mahao’s removal from office was illegal whereas the-then government’s version of the report said it was legal.”
Professor Mahao said they remained in solidarity with the families of Mohau Qobete, Sub Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko and Police Constable (PC) Mokalekale Khetheng “as well as those of the soldiers who were detained in the maximum prison and we are hoping that justice will finally be served since we are now free from Nebuchadnezzar’s regime”.
Sub Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko was killed during the LDF’s raid on the Police Headquarters and two other Maseru police stations on 30 August 2014, which Dr Thabane said was a coup attempt.
For its part, the military said it was a special operation to seize firearms from rogue Lesotho Mounted Police Service officers.
Sub Inspector Ramahloko’s wife and two brothers told yesterday’s gathering that the government was yet to compensate the family.
Mohau Qobete was caught in crossfire during a shootout between LDF members on 1 February 2015, while on duty as a security guard at the Ministry of Education offices in Maseru.
The army reportedly promised to take care of his then nine-year old son but his emotional mother yesterday revealed that the family had not received any form of assistance from the LDF.
She said she was struggling to make ends meet as her late son was the breadwinner.
PC Khetheng, who was stationed in Mokhotlong, was last seen after being arrested by his colleagues at a feast in Sebothoane, Leribe on 25 March 2016 and his whereabouts remain unknown.
His teary-eyed brothers told the gathering that they believed he was no longer alive and they wanted to be given his body for burial.
The ceremony which attracted scores of Basotho, was also attended by the Principal Chief of Likhoele, Chief Lerotholi Tholo, Chieftainess, Mabela Maama and Matsieng Chief Khoabane Theko.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Machesetsa Mofomobe assured the crowd that justice would prevail.
“The constitution of Lesotho clearly states that a murder suspect has to be prosecuted,” Mr Mofomobe said, adding, “We are obliged to see that justice is served.”
“I believe there is no leader among the four in this government who does not want to see justice prevail.
“This country will not go forward if those that are heading national security agencies are still in power. I would like to applaud my Prime Minister for removing Police Commissioner (Molahlehi) Letsoepa and the same needs to be done with (Tumo) Lekhooa of the National Security Services.
“Police officers and other civil servants who were wrongfully dismissed need to be given their jobs back as soon as next week.”
Commissioner Letsoepa was sent on a 90-day leave by Dr Thabane in a move sources say is meant to ease him out of the post.
Meanwhile, Prof Mahao said that Lt-Gen Mahao’s monument was erected in an area which would also accommodate an academy to equip youths with agriculture and legal skills.
“My brother loved farming very much and that was what he was doing when he was killed.
“He was also a qualified lawyer. Therefore the institution which will be erected here will provide courses that are related to his personality,” Professor Mahao said.