RM31 million lawsuit filed against Letsoela

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…Liphakoeng villagers demand compensation for torture by soldiers

Morosi Zian

The military raid on Liphakoeng village in Leribe State on April 25, 2024 has come back to haunt the Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, who is now facing claims of up to LES 31 million from the villagers of Liphakoeng who were allegedly tortured by the soldiers.

On June 11, 2024, legal representatives of the 13 plaintiffs sent two letters of claim to Lieutenant General Letsoela, Attorney General’s lawyer Rapelang Motsieloa KC, Minister of Defence and National Security, and Prime Minister Sam Matekane. The plaintiffs are seeking RM31 million in damages. Their legal team consists of lawyers Zwelakhe Mda KC and Napo Mafaesa.

The lawsuit relates to a raid by soldiers in Lipakoen, four days after five family members of illegal fighter Liala Mabatha were killed.reputationGang leader Khalane “Madan” Nalane was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at his home in Fobane, Leribe. Soldiers raided the village in search of Madan.

Soldiers also allegedly beat Liphakoeng villagers and demanded that they hand over Madan’s opponent, Tšepiso “Mosotho” Radebe.

At the time, the military said it was carrying out its operationsPuff adderEliminate illegal guns used in community killings. The puff adder (Marabe in Sesotho) is a highly venomous snake common in rocky areas of the country, including Lipakoen.

Mosoto, the leader of the also banned Terene Mokata Lipopo group, was never spotted that day.

Mosoto is officially on the police wanted list for the murder of Madan’s family on April 20, 2024. He is wanted along with three others; Lehlonolo ‘Litsebe’ Tumo, Mohau ‘Carvela’ Mohohlo and Thamahane “Mocoba” Mpiti.

The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) issued a notice on June 12, 2024, appealing for public assistance in locating the first three suspects, while Mokoba’s notice was issued on June 14, 2024.

About five hours before the murder in Fubane, two people from Mosotho’s Terene group were shot, one of whom was his brother-in-law and was seriously injured. Another Terene member died at the scene.

Mosoto toldlesotho times Then, his followers were attacked and two were shot while burying a member, who he claimed was killed by another member in South Africa.reputationGang. The funeral was held in Lipakoon.

He expressed frustration at the failure of security agencies to protect members of his group, who he said were first attacked by members of the Liala Mabatha gang.

Mosotho also accused the heads of national security agencies of failing to investigate suspected involvement inreputationDespite evidence that they were involved in fomenting competition,reputationGang.

He accused the police and the military ofreputationdispute, claiming that the armed forces chose to attend the Fobane shooting before attending the first reported incident in Liphakoeng village.

Mosoto accused a military BroadCast Unitedligence (MI) officer and a police officer at the police headquarters of fuelling the dispute between his Terene group and rival Liala MabathareputationHe said that instead of mediating and achieving peace between the two gangs, the two gangs sided with the Liala Mabatha gang.

Now, Liphakoeng villagers are demanding compensation for their torture, illegal arrest and detention by the army.

In the first letter, Tsekiso Ntlhare, Bokang Kobile, Malefane Nkobolo, Nthokho Leboka, Napo Makhasane, Mokotjo Mohaila, Ayanda Tyeba, Xolani Somtsewu, Mako Mpiti and Mohalefi Mahasele demanded M250,000 each as damages for unlawful torture, arrest and imprisonment.

In the early hours of April 25, 2024, 10 soldiers attacked Liphakoeng and ordered villagers to gather in front of Mosotho’s business premises and divided them into groups based on gender and age, after which they were allegedly brutally attacked by the soldiers.

They claimed that Mosoto’s employees were forcibly taken into his business building and ordered to hand over their guns.

“The client was forced to lie on the rough ground and rolled around while being beaten.(Original text)“They had sticks stuck in their buttocks, thighs and calves. Mohlalefi Mahasele, Bokang Kobile and Napo Makhasane were then taken to the village where other villagers were also called. They were forced to roll on the rough ground while being beaten with sticks; forced to do push-ups and frog jumps, and forced to run back and forth for a long distance, etc. Other villagers were subjected to the same cruel and inhuman treatment by these soldiers,” the letter read.

The letter further claimed that Mr Mohaila died due to torture after being taken to the Mokotakoti military base in Mapusoe along with Mr Nthokho and another unnamed person.

“Where Mohaila Mokotjo (who died as a result of torture), Leboka Nthokho and another man were taken to the Mokotakoti military base where they were detained overnight; that night they were subjected to further cruel and inhumane treatment. On April 26, 2024, they were handed over to police officers at Maputsoe police station; they were released the same day and provided medical treatment.”

The complainants therefore demanded that Lieutenant General Letsola be held accountable for the actions of his troops and demanded compensation of DM2.5 million per person to compensate them for the “injuries they had suffered”.

In a second separate letter, three other villagers: Mamokhethi Kotoloane, Mahlape Mohlouoa and Mabokang Sello claimed 2 million Bangladeshi marks each as compensation for torture.

According to the letter, the torture began at 6 a.m. and lasted until noon, with some people being tortured until late afternoon.

“The cruel and inhumane abuse inflicted on customers of Mamokhethi Kotolane and Mabokang Sello started at 6am and continued till 12pm. Mahlape Mohlouoa was tortured by the said soldiers till about 3pm.”

“…As a result of the aforementioned torture to which the complainants were subjected, they (the complainants) suffered and continue to suffer from shock, serious bodily injuries and extreme pain. In addition, their personal dignity was greatly damaged, as a result of which they each suffered damages in the amount of 2 million manats.

“The client submits that at all material times outlined above, the Left Defence Force members were acting in their military capacity and in the course of their employment. The government is therefore responsible for their unlawful conduct. This letter is the necessary statutory notice – a summons to commence proceedings will be issued in due course.”

Contacted for comment, LDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sakeng Lekola confirmed receipt of the letters and said they were being processed by their legal team.

“I am aware of the existence of such a letter. Our legal team is still working on understanding the contents of the letter and once they have completed their work, they will advise the Commander (Letsola) accordingly,” said Lieutenant Colonel Lekola.