Maseru — One of the lengthy high profile cases in the country involving members of the army has on Monday come to an end with the High Court sentencing Retired Sergeant Lekhooa Moepi and Private Tieho Tikiso to 20 years imprisonment.

The duo was last month found guilty of the murder of Lekhoele Noko, Khothatso Makibinyane and Molise Pakela who were in May 2017 kidnapped, strangled to death and their remains dumped into the Mohale Dam where they were retrieved in September 2017.

The Court directed that Moepi, who was found guilty on one count of murder and unlawful detention of Noko, should concurrently serve 20 years and three years for each of the charges. It however ordered that 9 years which the convict has already spent in prison should be regarded as having already served from September 29 2017 when he was arrested and jailed.

The Court further directed that  Tikiso who was convicted on all the three counts of murder should serve 20 years in jail for each of the murders. It however ordered that the sentences should run concurrently from September 29 2017 adding that the 9 years he already spent in custody should be considered to have already been served.

During the sentencing, a judge presiding over the matter Justice Moroke Mokhesi remarked that justice without any modicum of mercy is not truly justice. He stated that the duo committed serious offences by taking part in extrajudicial activities adding that they require retributive, rehabilitative and deterrent sentences. He emphasised that they are capable of being reformed.

He stated that he is mindful that the two convicts were not the only ones involved in the commission of the offences but evidence has pointed to them. He added that he is also mindful that Tikiso was a junior officer who must have acted on superior orders. He said members of the army should not be seen to be taking the law into their own hands adding that the practice erodes public trust in the army which is entrusted with law enforcement.

"Murder is prevalent in this country. It is even worse when it is committed by law enforcement agencies", said the Judge, adding that the society expects serious offences to be punished.

The Court has made a finding that the killing of the deceased was motivated by the desire to avenge the killing and serious injuring of some army members by some members of Famo Gangs. It further found that while exercising their right, the accused contributed to the delays in the trial.

Moepi and Tikiso were initially charged together with 8 other army members: Rapele Mphaki, Pitso Ramoepana, Mahlehle Moeletsi, Mahlomola Makhoali Nthatakane Motanyane, Motsoane Machae, Liphapang Sefako and Nemase Faso who were in August 2025 acquitted following their application for discharge.

They were all charged with murder, conspiracy to murder, incitement to murder, unlawful detention and conspiracy to commit unlawful detention against the three deceased persons. While the other 8 accused were acquitted, the duo was discharged on other charges and Moepi remained with one count of murder as well as unlawful detention of Noko whereas Tikiso remained with three counts of murder involving Noko, Makibinyane and Pakela.

The duo was found guilty as charged based on circumstantial evidence, confession and pointing out as Moepi made a confession before a magistrate about his participation in the kidnapping of Noko while Tikiso pointed out a spot where the bodies of the deceased were dumped into the Mohale Dam.

In his judgment, the presiding judge stated that the prosecution has satisfied the provisions of  kidnapping and unlawful detention of Noko by Moepi adding that his involvement in the disappearance of the deceased has been established by the prosecution.

"The kidnapping of Lekhoele Noko was not coincidental, it was motivated by desire to avenge the shooting of his colleagues", he
said.
He indicated that while the defence lawyer argued that the evidence of pointing out is not sufficient and that no witness testified that Tikiso was involved in the murders of the three men, the accused is not a random man charged with the murders.

He pointed out that evidence indicated that Tikiso took investigators to Mohale Dam where he pointed out a spot where the bodies of the deceased were dumped and later retrieved from the same spot. He added that pointing out by the accused is communication by conduct on its part that he has knowledge of the crime.

"The knowledge of the exact spot where the bodies of the deceased were retrieved is fanciful", said the judge adding that the accused is involved in the murders of the three men.

In his judgment delivered in 2025 discharging the other accused in the matter, Justice Mokhesi stated that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused.

He pointed out that none of the state witnesses testified to witnessing any of the accused kill the deceased and dump their bodies into the Mohale Dam.
He added that the prosecution failed to call some of the people who were mentioned by some of the witnesses, to testify. He further added 9that some of the state witnesses contradict each other.

The deceased were reportedly part of the suspects taken in by the police in May 2017 following a shooting at the Maseru Border Post whereby two members of the army and a street vendor were shot.

Private Halekhethe Nkonyana sustained injuries while Private  Katleho Seliane and Mr. Moiketsi Makhabane died. The suspects were released from police custody after it was concluded that there was no evidence against them while Motlatsi Rantaoana was charged and convicted in relation to this matter following joint investigations by the police and the army.

The defence lawyer in the matter was Advocate Qhalehang Letsika while the prosecution was represented by Adv. Motene Rafoneke.

Image by Lesotho Gov