Moorosi Tsiane
TWO Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) soldiers charged with the 9 May 2014 brutal murder of Lisebo Tang have to wait until next year to hear their fate after Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane postponed their trial to between 10 and 11 February 2026.
Sergeant (Sgt) Tjekane Sebolai and Corporal (Cpl) Selone Ratšiu are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.
The charges stem from a shooting incident outside the Ha-Leqele home of then LDF commander, Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, where Ms Tang was fatally shot while her companion, Tšepo Jane, sustained severe injuries.
According to earlier testimonies, the duo allegedly opened fire on a vehicle parked near Kamoli’s residence, killing Ms Tang instantly.
But while giving evidence as the seventh defence witness, Sgt Sebolai gave a sharply different account, insisting they only shot after the vehicle “drove off” despite repeated warnings.
Led by his lawyer, Advocate (Adv) Sello Tšabeha, Sgt Sebolai told the court they had asked the occupants to step out and even tried to “light inside the car,” but the driver allegedly ignored them and sped away. He added that he fired two warning shots before they attempted to stop the vehicle “by shooting at its wheels.”
That claim immediately drew the ire of prosecutor Adv Rafoneke who, in a tense cross-examination, asked how a vehicle supposedly targeted at its wheels ended up being riddled with more than 40 bullet holes.
Adv Rafoneke wrapped up his cross-examination on Friday but, instead of continuing with more witnesses, Adv Tšabeha shocked the court by announcing that the defence was closing its case after calling only seven witnesses.
“My Lord, the defence will not be calling any more witnesses and thus closes its case,” he said.
Chief Justice Sakoane then directed both parties to file written submissions by the end of next week before postponing the matter to next year for oral arguments.
“In that case, Counsel, we have to consider your submissions on closing arguments. Therefore, the matter is postponed to 10 and 11 February 2026 for oral submissions. I want written heads of submissions, and I will not entertain any excuses on the 10 when the matter is supposed to continue.
“The accused persons, you are expected to be before the court again on the same date and keep observing your bail conditions,” Justice Sakoane ordered.