More hiccups for Khetheng murder trial

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RELEBOHILE TSOAMOTSE

MASERU – Police Constable Mokalekale Khetheng murder trial could face another setback next week Monday. This is due to the prosecution’s failure to provide one of the accused persons, Sub Inspector Thabo Tšukulu, with an investigation diary in the case. The trial was set for yesterday but could not continue due to technicalities.

Tšukulu has requested the investigation diary and said he intends to incorporate it to his defence. However, the prosecution says he has to move a formal application for such. Advocate Nnaki Nku, who represents the Crown in the matter, said an instruction from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Advocate Hlalefang Motinyane, is that the complainants should lodge a formal application.

“The instruction I have from the DPP is that the complainants should lodge a formal application for such,” Nku said. Tšukulu’s lawyer, Advocate Karabo Mohau KC, argued that the court had ordered that his client be provided with the diary and, therefore, said DPP should comply with the order. He told the court that the fact that the prosecution suggest that it is not aware of the order, he will ask for the court`s recordings of the day the order was made.

Also, the court was forced to postpone the trial after the prosecution requested to serve Advocate Zwelekha Mda with an amended indictment. Advocate Mda represents three of the accused persons and had not yet been served with the updated indictment.

He represents Senior Inspector Mabitle Matona, Sub Inspector Haleokoe Taasoane and Inspector Mothibeli Mofolo. They are charged for murdering Khetheng in March 2016. The prosecution has recently amended their indictment to put in additional charges. In the new indictment, former defence minister, Tšeliso Mokhosi, was removed as an accused person and has turned state witness. Former police boss, Molahlehi Letsoepa has also been struck off from the charge sheet.

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