The defence in a case in which four men from Mokema are charged with the murder of Ralikonelo Joki, Mothebe Mothibe and Thomello Ntsane has accused an accomplice witness in this matter, Sekhobe Maama of being dishonest. 

Mothusi Tlelase, Sootho Liphoto, Kamo Phakoe and Moabi Sesioana are accused of contravening section 40 (1) of the Penal Code Act no.6 of 2010 read with section 40 (2) and section 26 (1) of the same Act.

It is alleged that they shared a common intention or purpose to pursue an unlawful act together and in the pursuit of such purpose, they shot and killed Joki during an incident that occurred at Lower Thamae on May 14 2023. 

It is alleged that three of the accused: Tlelase, Liphoto and Sesioana shot and killed Mothibe Mothibe together with Thomello Ntsane at Mokema on May 20 2023. 

During cross-examination of the witness on yesterday, the Defence Lawyer Advocate Lepeli Molapo stated that the witness is being dishonest to the court as after he realised that he could not implicate Moabi, one of the accused, he changed his version while giving evidence.

He pointed out that he is going to ask the court to find that he is not an honest witness as he is trying to implicate the accused without justification. The lawyer further accused the witness of not being honest because he does not want to disclose to the court other methods which the police used to interrogate him.

He stated that the witness is an accomplice witness because the police told him to implicate the accused so that he can receive immunity from prosecution. He insisted that the accused participated in the killing of the deceased. He emphasised that the witness is being used by the police adding that he structured his evidence to satisfy them. 

The witness denied having participated in the killing of the deceased. He stated that he has nothing to gain from falsely implicating the accused. He said they are his homeboys adding that some of them are even close to him.

The accused first appeared before court on June 26 2023 after they were arrested and they were remanded into custody by the Maseru Magistrate's Court. They were advised to seek bail from the High Court as required by the law. 

Some of the accused, Liphoto and Sesioana together with Moeketsi Rantheba appeared before the Magistrate Court last month accused of conspiracy to kill one of the witnesses against them, Teboho Kumi. 

Kumi was led as the first state witness by the prosecution before the High Court. The case is before Justice Tseliso Mokoko.