Former Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Military Intelligence chief Tumo Lekhooa was on Thursday accused of lying under oath after telling the High Court that he retired from the army in 2023 with the rank of Major General instead of Colonel. The dramatic accusation emerged during cross-examination in the murder trial of former LDF Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, who is charged with the 2015 murder of former army commander Lt-Gen Maaparankoe Mahao.
Lekhooa, testifying as a defence witness for incarcerated Captain Haleeo Makara, came under intense questioning from Crown Counsel Advocate Rethabile Setlojoane over his disputed promotion. The former intelligence chief had spent Monday and Tuesday giving evidence-in-chief, making explosive claims about alleged political interference and factional battles within the LDF leading up to the 2015 mutiny plot and subsequent killing of Lt-Gen Mahao.
Advocate Setlojoane questioned why then LDF Commander Lt-Gen Mojalefa Letsoela had “reacted coldly” to Lekhooa’s promotion from Colonel directly to Major General, bypassing the rank of Brigadier. Lekhooa replied that Lt-Gen Letsoela had never recognised his promotion. The Crown counsel suggested that the LDF command had never recommended Lekhooa for promotion, an allegation Lekhooa dismissed, insisting he possessed a recommendation letter from late General Khoantle Motšomotšo.
Advocate Setlojoane then directly accused Lekhooa of deliberately misleading the court, stating, “Ntate Lekhooa, you are deliberately lying under oath. You have never been a Major General.” The accusation prompted an objection from defence attorney Qhalehang Letsika, who argued it was unfair without supporting evidence. Trial Judge Charles Hungwe allowed the questioning to continue. The Crown counsel further informed the court that the matter was already under police investigation.
The trial continues with Kamoli and eight others facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and malicious damage to property in connection with Lt-Gen Mahao’s death. Lekhooa himself faces charges in the same case after returning from exile in South Africa.
Article and image source: sundayexpress.co.ls
