HomeNewsLocalSekata faces charges over Khetheng

Sekata faces charges over Khetheng

Published on

spot_img

 

’Marafaele Mohloboli

LESOTHO Congress for Democracy spokesperson, Teboho Sekata, faces charges of defamation and defeating the ends of justice for his remarks about the late Police Constable (PC) Mokalekale Khetheng.

Mr Sekata told the Sunday Express yesterday that he was summoned to the police headquarters in Maseru to explain remarks he made in August this year on Moafrika FM to the effect that a DNA test on the remains of PC Khetheng had shown that he was not from the Khetheng clan.

PC Khetheng was stationed in Mokhotlong and last seen being arrested by his colleagues at a traditional feast in Sebothoane, Leribe on 25 March 2016 and had not been seen or heard from since.

PC Khetheng had been arrested and charged on allegations that he torched the house of his superior in Mokhotlong district where he was deployed.

This prompted his father, Thabo Khetheng, to lodge an application before the High Court on 18 July 2016 for the police authorities to produce him dead or alive.

His body was exhumed at Lepereng Cemetery in the Maseru district on 11 August after the police were granted a court order by the Magistrate’s Court in light of the ongoing investigations into his disappearance and suspected murder.

His remains were re-buried in August this year in Mokhotlong.

In an interview with the Sunday Express on Friday, Mr Sekata said the police told him that they were investigating his utterances on PC Khetheng’s biological identity with a view to charging him with violating Sections 87 and 104 of the Penal code Act of 2010.

According to Section 87 (2), “A person who makes any statement or performs any act with the intention of defeating or interfering with the course of justice, commits an offence.”

Section 104  states that, “A person who, by print, writing, painting or effigy, or by any means otherwise than solely by gesture, spoken words or other sounds, unlawfully publishes any defamatory matter concerning another person, with intent to defame that other person, commits an offence of defamation.”

“I was told that I had defeated the ends of justice by prejudicing police investigations into the murder of PC Khetheng and would therefore be called once investigations have been concluded so that I am formally charged,” Mr Sekata said.

He however, commended the police for treating him with the necessary respect any suspect is entitled to.

“I was not in any way belittled or tortured as has been the alleged norm with other people who have been called in by the police like the deputy leader of the LCD (Tšeliso Mokhosi) and I applaud the police for that.

“I don’t find any reason to flee since I was not tortured, the police are just doing their job and I am willing to cooperate,” Mr Sekata said.

Mr Mokhosi, a former Defence minister, was arrested on 28 August this year and charged with the murder of PC Khetheng along with four police officers.

He was eventually released on bail and released a statement accusing the police of forcing him to confess to killing PC Khetheng while being interrogated.

He subsequently fled the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Sekata, said he was confident the case against him as weak and would be dismissed in court.

Police spokesperson, Inspector Mpiti Mopeli, told the Sunday Express that Mr Sekata could “face charges of obstructing justice and defamation,” adding, “police are busy with their investigations pertaining to the matter”.

 

Latest articles

M100m boost for DMA 

  Hopolang Mokhopi  THE Disaster Management Authority (DMA) has ramped up its efforts to assist vulnerable...

Vodacom top employer for the 6th time 

  Staff Reporter  VODACOM Lesotho has once again secured its place as a Top Employer in...

LEC fails to address customer complaints timeously – LEWA 

  Mathatisi Sebusi  THE Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) has been accused of failing to address customer...

Witness narrates how soldiers killed his three friends 

  Moorosi Tsiane  FIVE soldiers, currently standing trial for murder, allegedly killed three Mafeteng civilians on...

More like this

M100m boost for DMA 

  Hopolang Mokhopi  THE Disaster Management Authority (DMA) has ramped up its efforts to assist vulnerable...

Vodacom top employer for the 6th time 

  Staff Reporter  VODACOM Lesotho has once again secured its place as a Top Employer in...

LEC fails to address customer complaints timeously – LEWA 

  Mathatisi Sebusi  THE Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) has been accused of failing to address customer...