Maaparankoe murder case to proceed tomorrow after it was postponed today due to defence lawyer’s absence

The case in which nine members of the Lesotho Defence Force, including former Army Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, are charged with the June 2015 murder of army commander Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao has been postponed to tomorrow.

This, after Defence lawyer Advocate Silas Ratau asked to be excused to attend to a personal matter.

The court had adjourned in July with state witness, Maaparankoe’s widow ‘Mamphanya Mahao on the stand giving evidence.

She was expected to continue with her testimony today.

Before the adjournment, Ms Mahao’s testimony was met with objection from one of the defence lawyers Advocate Letuka Molati who said her evidence aas unnecessary and amounted to what he called “evidence of character”.

In her testimony, Ms Mahao had revealed that Lieutenant General Kamoli used to bully her husband for years.

The prosecution team is led by Advocate Rethabile Setlojoane and Lehlohonolo Phooko while the defence team consists of Advocate Qhalehang Letsika, Silas Ratau and Letuka Molati, among others.

The case is before Justice Charles Hungwe.