Lekhetho Ntsukunyane
LESOTHO Police Staff Association (LEPOSA) president Inspector Molibeli Damane, who is facing two attempted murder charges, retired from the police force on Friday.
The early retirement came a day after he was released on bail following his detention on attempted murder charges.
Inspector Damane (48) is currently facing two attempted murder trials in the Maseru Magistrate’s Court after he allegedly shot his wife, ’Matšepo (26) and her suspected lover in October 2015 and March 2016, respectively.
Police spokesperson Clifford Molefe yesterday confirmed Inspector Damane had applied for early retirement.
“Inspector Damane has tendered his letter seeking early retirement from the police service. As from Monday (tomorrow), he will be on leave pending early retirement. The Police Act allows for junior police officers (between the ranks of Police Constable and Inspector) to retire from as early an age as 40 years,” said Superintendent Molefe.
Inspector Damane was elected president of LEPOSA in April last year. He found himself in trouble with the law after allegedly shooting and critically injuring his wife at her workplace at the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) Centre in Maseru in October 2015.
He was arrested and detained at Police Headquarters while his wife was rushed to Tšepong Hospital.
The officer appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on 26 October on an attempted murder charge, but was released on M1000 bail by the High Court.
But hardly five months after the incident and while he was still on bail, Inspector Damane found himself in trouble again after he allegedly shot his estranged wife’s boyfriend on 28 March 2016.
He was arrested and appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court the following day charged with contravening provisions of Section 22 (1) of the Penal Code Act No 6 of 2010.
He was remanded in custody until 7 April 2016. His case was however postponed to 21 April when he was released on bail again.
His lawyer, Advocate Molapo yesterday Inspector Damane’s release but said he was not aware of the early retirement.