Moorosi Tsiane
STATE prosecutor, Advocate Christopher Lephuthing, has dismissed as fiction claims by murder accused Sootho Liphoto that he was tortured into confessing to the killing of prominent radio personality Ralikonelo “Leqhasha” Joki.
Liphoto is standing trial alongside co-accused Mothusi Tlelase, Moabi Sesioana, and Kamo Phakoe for Joki’s murder on 14 May 2023.
Earlier in his testimony, Liphoto alleged that police officers, including Woman Police Constable Masenkane, assaulted him and forced a confession out of him.
He claimed Masenkane placed her knee on his shoulders while others beat him up with a lebetlela (fighting stick).
However, during a heated cross-examination before High Court judge Tšeliso Mokoko, Adv Lephuthing questioned the credibility of Liphoto’s version.
“Woman Police Constable Masenkane was here, and she was never questioned about putting her knee on your shoulders when you were interrogated, while others were hitting you with that lebetlela,” Adv Lephuthing charged.
“You cannot come here and allege you were tortured, whereas the people you claim tortured you were here and were never questioned about it.”
He further accused Liphoto’s lawyer, Advocate Lepeli Molapo, of failing to raise the torture allegations with officers who testified.
“Who was responsible for having done (sic) that? Was it not your lawyer? Did you inform him that you were tortured? And if you did, did he look for the police duty roster to see who was on duty the night you claim you were tortured?” Adv Lephuthing asked.
Liphoto responded that he did not know whether the matter had been raised or investigated.
“Do not come here with non-existent things just to waste the court’s time,” Adv Lephuthing pressed on.
The state counsel also alleged that Liphoto had privately confessed to the killing in a conversation with his friend, Papiso Matsoso, who had testified as the 12th state witness.
“Matsoso told this court that you confirmed (to) killing Joki after calling him to your house the same night Joki was killed, asking him to confirm if the person talking on the radio was indeed Joki.
“He said the following morning, when radios and social media were abuzz with news of Joki’s murder, he confronted you about it and you confirmed that you had done it,” Adv Lephuthing said, emphasising that the defence had not challenged Matsoso’s testimony.
Liphoto denied the allegation, insisting that Matsoso had never asked him such questions and that he did not hear him give that testimony in court.
Liphoto, the second defence witness, largely echoed the account of his co-accused, Tlelase, who also claimed he was tortured into making a false confession.
The trial continues on 27 October 2025.