THE High Court on Monday ordered the immediate release of one of the five men who have been arrested in connection with the theft of 75 firearms that were stolen from the Mafeteng Police Station armoury last month.
news
Nov. 16, 2021
OWN CORRESPONDENT
2 min read
Court orders release of suspect
Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli
Story highlights
5 men including 3 cops nabbed for theft of 75 guns at Mafeteng Police Station
One of the firearms has been recovered from a Chinese businessman in Mafeteng
This, after Kunyane Ralekhetla who is a civil servant turned state witness against his four co-accused.
Earlier, his wife ’Maretšepile Ralekhetla had filed an urgent application in the High Court against the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Beleme Lebajoa and others in which she wanted her husband to be presented before court dead or alive.
Advocate Thomas Thakalekoa who represents the respondents in the matter told High Court judge, Justice Polo Banyane that Ralekhetla’s detention was not baseless as it was intended to determine whether or not to prosecute.
Adv Thakalekoa said there was a need for a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge the suspect as he is a public officer.
Ralekhetla’s lawyer, Adv Napo Mafaesa confirmed that the defence is no longer pursuing the urgent application it had filed earlier.
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The Commissioner of Police Holomo Molibeli on Monday announced during a media briefing that at least five suspects including three police officers have been arrested in connection with the burglary and theft of the 75 firearms, which were allegedly stolen at the Mafeteng Police station armoury.
He said seven of the guns have already been recovered, adding that one of them was seized from a Chinese business man in Mafeteng. LeNA
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