Lesotho Times
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Moorosi Tsiane
COUNTLESS lawsuits keep pouring against police Commissioner, Holomo Molibeli.
The latest is a M3 million claim by a Mohale’s Hoek man who was shot by a police officer in August 2022.
Tefo Malebanye of Ha Potsane, Mohale’s Hoek, states in his High Court application filed last week that he was shot on his left thigh on 26 August 2022 by one police officer Khatebe.
Mr Malebanye’s lawsuit is the latest in a multitude of lawsuits on Commissioner Molibeli’s desk owing to the unprofessionalism of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) under his ineffectual leadership.
The multi-million lawsuits are mainly due to the rogue behaviour of his charges who have either tortured, injured, assaulted or killed civilians mostly during interrogations to extract forced confessions.
Commissioner Molibeli and Attorney General Rapelang Motsieloa are cited as first and second defendants respectively in Mr Malebanye’s application.
According to the court papers filed by Advocate Motsamai Tlapane on behalf of Mr Malebanye, the plaintiff was at the Mohale’s Hoek border post when Police Officer Khatebe shot him.
As a result of the gunshot wound Mr Malebanye had to be admitted in hospital from 26 August 2022 to 3 September 2022.
“On or about 26 August 2022 Plaintiff was shot at and sustained gunshot injuries from his left thigh and bullet cartridge remains lodged inside his said thigh. The gunshot was fired by Police Officer Khatebe who was on duty at Mohale’s Hoek border post.
“Plaintiff was as a result severely injured and had to be admitted in hospital from the 26 August 2022 and remained hospitalized until discharged on 3 September 2022,” avers Advocate Tlapana.
He said as a result of the shooting Mr Malebanye could no longer continue to work and therefore remains unemployed. He said they therefore hold Commissioner Molibeli liable for the acts of police officer Khatebe who unlawfully discharged a service firearm that caused the injuries to his client.
“Plaintiff was employed prior to the shooting incident and earning a sum of M2 200 00. As a result of the gunshot injuries plaintiff could no longer continue with his employment and remains unemployable (sic). Malebanye holds Molibeli vicariously liable for the acts of Police officer Khatebe who unlawfully discharged a service firearm that caused him the injuries,” the court papers state.
“Plaintiff served a demand letter upon Commissioner Molibeli but that has to date been ignored. Commissioner Molibeli therefore refuses and or fails to take responsibility for the injuries sustained by Plaintiff as a result of the unlawful acts of police officer Khatebe.
“Wherefore plaintiff claims the following reliefs; damages for pain and suffering in the sum of M1 000 000 as a result of injuries sustained from the gunshot wounds occasioned by an unlawful discharge of firearm by police officer Khatebe. Damages for permanent disfigurement and disability in the sum of M1 000 000 as a direct result of gunshot wounds. Damages for loss of enjoyment of amnesties of life, for loss of earning capacity from September 2022 to date of judgement, damages for past and future medical expenses in the sum of M1 000 000.”