The trial of five soldiers accused of orchestrating the 2014 bomb attacks on the homes of former First Lady 'Maesaiah Thabane and former Police Commissioner Khothatso Tšooana has been postponed to October 26-28, 2026. The delay was caused by presiding judge Justice Charles Hungwe's family emergency, which required him to return to his native Zimbabwe. Justice 'Mafelile Ralebese stepped in to formally postpone the matter after the Crown informed the court that Justice Hungwe was unavailable.
The five accused, including former army commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Pitso Ramoepana, Mohlalefi Seitlheko, and Heqoa Malefane, face charges of attempted murder and malicious damage to property. The bomb attacks occurred on January 27, 2014, and the trial has been ongoing since. The defence had not agreed to the postponement, with Advocate Letuka Molati stating that the defence wanted it on record that they had not consented to the delay.
The postponement is the latest in a series of delays in the case. Earlier this year, the accused mounted a major challenge to the Crown's case, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence linking them to the attacks. In May, lawyers representing the accused argued that the Crown had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring the accused to enter their defence.
Justice Hungwe rejected the application in a ruling delivered on May 29, 2026, finding that Crown counsel Advocates Rethabile Setlojoane and Motene Rafoneke had established a case for the five accused to answer. The ruling cleared the way for the defence stage of the trial, with Kamoli subsequently taking the witness stand. When the trial resumes, Kamoli is expected to continue presenting his defence evidence while being questioned by his lawyer.
The trial has been ongoing since the political turmoil of 2014. The accused were charged with attempted murder and malicious damage to property arising from the simultaneous bombing of the homes of Thabane and Tšooana. Prosecutor Advocate Motene Rafoneke asked the court to postpone the matter to October 26-28, 2026, dates that had already been allocated for the continuation of the trial.
The defence objected to the postponement, with Advocate Kabelo Letuka insisting that the record should accurately reflect the reason for the postponement. Justice Ralebese nevertheless postponed the matter, saying the trial could not proceed in the absence of the presiding judge. The matter will now return to court on October 26, with the defence expected to resume its evidence.
The trial's progression has been slow, with several delays. Despite the setbacks, the court has made progress, with Justice Hungwe ruling that the Crown had established a case for the accused to answer. The trial's outcome remains uncertain as it resumes on October 26.
Key points
- The Lesotho bombing trial has been postponed to October 26-28, 2026, due to the presiding judge's family emergency.
- The trial has been ongoing since 2014, with the accused facing charges of attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
- The defence had not agreed to the postponement, objecting to the delay.
