’Marafaele Mohloboli
THREE army officers of the rank of private, a police constable and a civilian have been charged with armed robbery after allegedly tailing their victim and bursting into his Thetsane West residence before making off with M10 000.
The five appeared on Friday before the Magistrate’s Court in Maseru where they were charged with armed robbery and remanded in custody until their next remand appearance on 12 October 2017.
Police spokesperson, Inspector Mpiti Mopeli, confirmed the development, saying the five were arrested on 24 September in Thetsane West.
Realeboha Tšele (22) of Thabong in Thaba-Tseka, Police Constable Lethoko Molefi (23) of Phahameng Morija working in Thaba-Tseka, Private Tšeliso Kekeletsa (33) of Ha Seoli, Maseru, Private Mokhethi Mokhethi (31) of Thabong, Thaba-Tseka and Private Pheello Maoeng (34) allegedly tailed and robbed Ntšebo Phamotse (40) of Thetsane West who was in the company of Motseko Motseko (26) of Kolbere, Thaba-Tseka.
A source privy to the story, said Mr Motseko works as a miner in Welkom and had come home after buying a twin cab bakkie.
“He couldn’t drive and therefore asked Phamotse to drive him to Lesotho where, upon arrival, the vehicle would be driven by Tšele who is Motseko’s home boy and had been informed about the car,” said the source.
“Tšele then called his police constable friend and conspired to rob Motseko. The two did not know how to gain access to Phamotse’s house and then called two army officers for assistance.
“They later brought in the third soldier who is their friend and has a car. They then agreed on the strategy of having Tšele calling Motseko to come to a nearby fuel filling station so he would buy him food.”
After coaxing Mr Motseko to the filling station, the accused allegedly tailed him back to the Thetsane West house.
“They managed to follow him to the house, and then broke into the house. They then assaulted the occupants before making off with M10 000 and some cell phones,” added the source.
Meanwhile, Mr Motseko’s car was confiscated by the impounding unit as evidence in the case.