Hopolang Mokhopi
INCARCERATED Democratic Congress (DC) legislator Mokherane Tsatsanyane and his brother, Moorosi Tsatsanyane, have petitioned the High Court for bail.
The duo stands accused of the attempted murder of Lesotho Public Motor Transport Company co-director Tšepang Phangoa on 7 March 2025.
They appeared before Central Chief Magistrate ‘Matankiso Nthunya on 12 March 2025, who remanded them into Lesotho Correctional Service custody. They were ordered to reappear before the same court on 25 March 2025.
According to their charge sheet, they cocked, pointed, and fired a gun at Mr Phangoa on the stated date. They were charged alongside their employee, Thupa Suoane.
The trio also faces additional charges of assault and causing “public terror” by carrying firearms in a public space with the intent to intimidate.
Their late father, Moeketsi Chaltin Tsatsanyane, was a co-director of Lesotho Public Motor Transport Company. Following his death, Mr Phangoa became the sole director. However, the Tsatsanyane brothers have been attempting to remove Mr Phangoa and take control of the company.
Previously, in December 2022, Moorosi had sided with Mr Phangoa, leading the courts to bar the Tsatsanyane brothers from the company premises. However, Mokherane defied the court order, forcefully entering the premises while wielding a firearm.
Despite their past disputes over the company’s leadership, the brothers appeared united on Friday. Reports indicate that Moorosi has also been illegally collecting rent from the company’s tenants, further violating the 2022 court order. This prompted Mr Phangoa to seek further court intervention.
In response, Magistrate Tšoarelo Nyai issued a ruling on 7 March 2025, reinforcing the previous court order and instructing the Tsatsanyane brothers to cease interfering in the company’s operations.
The Tsatsanyane brothers were first arrested on 7 March 2025 and released on 10 March after spending the weekend in police holding cells. They were eventually charged and remanded in prison on 12 March 2025.
They have now approached the High Court seeking their release.
In their bail petition, Moorosi claims Mr Phangoa stole money from the Lesotho Public Motor Transport Company offices in the Busstop area, Maseru. He alleges that on 7 March, Mr Phangoa arrived at the offices accompanied by soldiers, demanding rent from tenants. Moorosi further claims that Mr Phangoa was working with a police officer, Malefane, from Pitso Ground Police Station, whom he called to the Busstop area when the Tsatsanyanes confronted him.
“As the police from Pitso Ground approached the company premises, a fight ensued between your petitioners and Tšepang Phangoa along with his associates,” Moorosi states in his founding affidavit.
“Your third petitioner (Suoane) did not even partake in the altercation as he was merely standing by. It transpired that Phangoa had already stolen M20,000 in rent money, which had been kept in the main office of the building that same day.
“It seemed convenient for Phangoa to call Officer Malefane to the scene since the same officer had previously instructed my arrest. In an effort to do so, he (Malefane) approached my home violently, breaking into my house, destroying my property, and harassing my family members who were present at the time, for no apparent reason. I had requested to report myself the following morning at 8 a.m. as I was not home at the time.”
Moorosi argues that they should be granted bail, stating that they are Lesotho citizens who run businesses that may collapse if they abscond. He also highlights that his brother, Mokherane, is a Member of Parliament with vested interests in the country’s governance.
“Your petitioners are desirous of being admitted to bail. They declare that they are unlikely to abscond or evade trial, nor will they interfere with the prosecution’s case or obstruct justice in any manner.”
The High Court is set to hear their application tomorrow.