…who demands M1.5 million in compensation
Hopolang Mokhopi
A Maseru man is demanding M1.5 million in damages from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), alleging that six of its investigators subjected him to brutal torture during two interrogations before releasing him without ever charging him with any offence.
Themba Basil Motsamai is suspected of money laundering after over M1 million was moved through his bank account.
Through his lawyers, Nhlapo Chambers, he has now served the anti-corruption agency with a letter of demand dated 24 July 2026, threatening to institute a High Court lawsuit if compensation is not paid within 30 days.
The letter alleges that Mr Motsamai was twice summoned to the DCEO headquarters over matters he knew nothing about before being subjected to severe physical abuse by investigators.
“We act on instructions from Mr. Themba Basil Motsamai… to formally demand payment of the sum of M1,500,000 as full and final compensation for the egregious acts of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment perpetrated against our client by officers under your command and control on 22 June 2026 and again on 22 July 2026,” the letter reads.
According to the demand, Mr Motsamai was first summoned to the DCEO offices on 22 June without being told why.
“Upon arrival, he was placed in an interrogation room where he was confronted by a group of your officers, among them individuals he identifies as Mr. Mokotjo, Mr. Kotela, Mrs. Koloti, Mrs. Kopo, Mr. Khobotlo, and Mr. Moorosi.”
The lawyers say their client repeatedly told investigators he knew nothing about the issues under investigation, but this allegedly triggered violent assaults.
“It quickly became apparent that the interrogation concerned matters of which our client had absolutely no knowledge. Despite his repeated protestations of ignorance, the officers proceeded to subject him to brutal physical mistreatment.”
The letter further alleges that investigators tightly fastened metal handcuffs around Mr Motsamai’s wrists before kicking the cuffs while they were still on his hands.
“Specifically, they placed rigid black metal handcuffs tightly around his wrists and then repeatedly and forcibly kicked the handcuffs themselves. The impact drove the cuffs violently into our client’s flesh and bone, causing excruciating, unbearable pain, severe bruising, and swelling of both wrists and forearms.”
The lawyers claim their client was denied access to a lawyer or medical treatment before eventually being released without charge and instructed to return exactly a month later.
They allege that when Mr Motsamai reported back on 22 July, the abuse escalated.
“The officers then forcibly manipulated his body, pulling his cuffed hands downward and forcing his legs backwards such that his hands were compelled to go past his feet. This created a contorted, hog-tied position of extreme physical stress.”
The letter continues: “While our client lay in this defenceless and agonising state, the officer identified as Mr. Kotela deliberately stepped onto his back with full body weight, compressing our client’s spine and ribcage against the hard floor. The pressure sent waves of unbearable pain throughout his body, left him gasping for air, and caused him to fear for his life.”
Despite the alleged assaults, the lawyers say Mr Motsamai was again released without any criminal charges.
“Our client was, once again, released without any charge being preferred against him. To date, there are no pending criminal proceedings, no formal charges, and no lawful justification whatsoever for the treatment to which he was subjected on either date.”
The lawyers further claim that subsequent medical examinations diagnosed Mr Motsamai with cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) and pulmonary complications allegedly linked to the assaults.
They say he now suffers persistent chest pains, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, heart palpitations and psychological trauma consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The letter also accuses DCEO officers of confiscating Mr Motsamai’s Samsung cellphone together with both his Econet and Russian SIM cards during the second interrogation and demands that they be returned immediately.
The M1.5 million claim comprises damages for pain and suffering, violation of dignity, future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity and compensation for emotional shock and psychological trauma.
Nhlapo Chambers has given the DCEO 30 days to settle the claim, failing which they say they have instructions to institute civil proceedings in the High Court without further notice.
Contacted for comment, DCEO spokesperson, ‘Matlhokomelo Senoko, confirmed that Mr Motsamai had been summoned for questioning but strongly denied allegations that he had been tortured.
“The person in question was called in for questioning, with the last appearance being today (Friday), when he asked to be given a chance to make his statement in writing, which is the document expected from him as we speak,” Ms Senoko said.
She said investigators were taken aback by the allegations, saying they only became aware of them after being approached by this publication.
“The investigators are surprised by these issues of torture, which they are hearing for the first time now after your enquiry. They have not even seen this letter you are referring to,” Ms Senoko said.
She added that the DCEO would only be in a position to respond substantively after receiving and studying the lawyers’ letter of demand.
Post Views: 498
