Moorosi Tsiane
FIVE soldiers, currently standing trial for murder, allegedly killed three Mafeteng civilians on 7 April 2012, following a squabble that began while queuing for alcohol at a local bar.
A Crown witness, Ralinne Mokete, testified in court that Captain Litekanyo Nyakane and his four co-accused soldiers had trailed them from the bar late that night before fatally shooting his three friends, while him and another managed to flee.
Testifying before trial Judge Polo Banyane on Thursday, Mr Mokete, the eighth witness in the matter, recounted that on the fateful day, he and his friends—Thabang Mosole, Mohlominyane Ratsebe, Monyane Matsie, and Pakiso Ntala Letatane—had gone to Mafeteng to buy alcohol.
He said the events began when they encountered?some?commotion while queuing for drinks at a bar.
“Earlier that day, I noticed a feast at Makanke’s (Thabang Mosole) home and decided to join. Shortly after I arrived, Makanke mentioned he was going to refill alcohol at Van Rooyen. I found him sitting at the kraal with Monyane Matsie, Pakiso Ntala Letatane, and others. They seemed to be drinking as there were empty bottles nearby,” Mr Mokete said.
Their initial plan to purchase alcohol at Van Rooyen failed, leading them to Mafeteng. “It was late, around 5 pm, when we left. Makanke bought a few beers, and we checked a few bars but still couldn’t find more alcohol. Eventually, we decided to stop at Ha Semona on our way back to Ha Lepolesa.”
While at the bar, an argument broke out between one of his friends and another patron.
“I was outside when I heard the commotion and went in to find Monyane quarrelling with a man. I pulled him away, and we went outside.”
After convincing his friends to leave, they began their journey home. However, the car stopped near Ha Motanyane as the group debated returning to the bar.
“As we were still debating, a car approached us. It was dark, almost past midnight, so I couldn’t see its colour, but its headlights were visible. Someone in the car called out, but we couldn’t make out the words. Makanke told us the person had insulted us and claimed they had ‘found those women’, being us.
“I was seated in the back with Monyane and Mohlominyane. I decided to get out of the car, crossed the road, and ran. A few meters away, I heard Mohlominyane calling me. He caught up, and we kept running. As we neared Ha Motanyane, we heard gunshots that lasted about 20 minutes. We had left Makanke, Monyane, and Ntala behind,” Mr Mokete said.
The next morning, after taking refuge at Ralitsebe’s house, they were informed by one of Ralitsebe’s siblings that Thabang, Monyane, and Ntala had been killed.
Captain Nyakane is charged alongside Lance Corporals Khauhelo Makoae and Sebilo Sebilo, as well as Privates Tšepo Tlakeli and Thebe Tšepe. They face charges of murdering Mosole, Matsie, and Letatane at Ha Motanyane, Mafeteng, in 2012.
The trial had failed to proceed from Monday till Wednesday due to the absence of its prosecutor, Advocate Mosoeunyane Masiphole. It had been said Adv Masiphole had been in a car accident over the past weekend.
The defence had tried to take advantage of Adv Masiphole’s absence to apply for acquittal, but Justice Banyane said they had to file a formal written application. She then postponed the case to Thursday.
The plan to apply for discharge was ruined as Adv Masiphole was present in court on Thursday and proceeded to lead Mr Mokete in evidence.
The trial will resume on 27 January 2025.
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