Murder accused soldier seeks divorce

A soldier waiting trial for murder at the Maseru Central Correctional Institution has approached the Matala Local Court seeking divorce from his wife.

The man who is allegedly facing charges of the murder of former Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) commander, Maaparankoe Mahao June 25, 2015, was brought to court in leg irons and handcuffs on Tuesday this week.

Four vehicles ferrying several soldiers and Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) officers brought the man to court shortly before 9am, attracting the attention of onlookers.

Although reasons for filling for divorce were not disclosed, court president, ‘Malepeno Ntlobo, emphasized the importance of resolving personal matters amicably.

Ntlobo offered the estranged couple a chance to work out their issues, before ordering them to return on February 4, 2025, if they still wished to file for divorce.

This decision highlighted the court’s commitment to encouraging reconciliation before legal actions are taken.

In a separate case, a Maseru man appeared before the same court facing charges of assault.

The incident is said to have occurred at a local bar on November 2, 2024.

The accused, Liphoto Tobela, a die-hard Pirates FC fan arrived at the bar to join other patrons to watch a highly anticipated soccer match between Mamelodi Sundowns and another South African giant, Kaizer Chiefs.

Tobela’s spirits soared when after Sundowns scored during the course of the match. However, his loud cheers quickly turned sour when he clashed with other patrons.

Witnesses recounted how Tobela, while celebrating, inadvertently struck another patron, one Neo Makhola, on the head with a hand.

The action ignited tensions in the bar, leading to a heated exchange between the two men.

Angered by Tobela’s behaviour, Makhola retaliated by grabbing a bottle from his hand and smashing it on the ground.

This did not sit well with Tlalanyane Lebetsa, the bar owner, who intervened to restore order. Despite the reprimand, the situation escalated further, culminating in Tobela’s decision to leave the bar temporarily.

However, after a brief absence of 10 to 20 minutes, Tobela returned, this time armed with a knife.

Witnesses described the chilling moment when he re-entered the bar, knife in hand, and immediately targeted Makhola.

In a fit of rage, Tobela attempted to stab Makhola, but Lebetsa stepped in to confront him. Tragically, during this confrontation, Tobela turned on Lebetsa, stabbing him in the neck and cheek, leaving him with severe injuries.

The chaos that ensued prompted immediate action from other patrons, who rushed Lebetsa to hospital for emergency treatment.

Meanwhile, Tobela fled the scene but later turned himself in at the Qoaling police station, claiming he was a victim of an attack by the community.

However, police investigations quickly revealed what had really transpired, leading to Tobela’s arrest.

The prosecution presented compelling evidence, including the knife used in the attack and medical reports detailing Lebetsa’s injuries.

The testimonies of four witnesses corroborated the events leading up to the stabbing, painting a clear picture of Tobela’s aggressive behaviour. Faced with overwhelming evidence, Tobela pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

In mitigation before sentencing by court president Ntlobo, Tobela expressed his remorse.

He said he is a father to two young children, aged three and six, and also looked after his elderly mother, aged 73 years.

Despite his pleas for leniency, Ntlobo emphasized the intentional nature of Tobela’s actions, particularly his decision to return to the bar armed with a knife.

This demonstrated his clear intent to cause harm, she said.

Ntlobo fined the accused M1 800.00, which he promptly paid and avoided a custodial sentence.