A senior police officer who was implicated in the murder of Police Constable (PC) Mokalekale Khetheng says he was ordered by former Police Commissioner Molahlehi Letsoepa to arrest and kill the slain policeman.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Tšeliso Moerane was this week testifying in the long-drawn-out murder trial in the High Court as a Crown witness.

Led by Senior Counsel Shaun Abrahams who is prosecuting on behalf of the state, Moerane said Letsoepa’s stern orders came after Khetheng was fingered and later apprehended for allegedly torching his commanding officer’s home in Mokhotlong where he was stationed.

Senior Superintendent (Snr Supt) Thabo Tšukulu is charged along with his three subordinates; Senior Inspector Mabitle Matona, Sub Inspector Haleokoe Taasoane, and Inspector Mothibeli Mofolo for Khetheng’s murder on May 26, 2016.

The four who were arrested on August 4, 2016, and hauled before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court four days later were remanded in custody.

They were later denied bail by the High Court.

Moerane told the court this week that at the time, he was the Northern Regional Commissioner of Police, holding the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

“I received a report from the Mokhotlong police commander who informed me that his house had been burned down and that there was an attempt to torch another house belonging to his deputy.”

He added: “I called the police headquarters in Maseru to inform my seniors, and shortly afterward, I received a call from Commissioner Letsoepa instructing me to go to Mokhotlong in order to assess the situation there.”

Upon his arrival in Mokhotlong, the court heard how Moerane learned from the district police commander, Snr Supt Makara that they had already arrested Khetheng for the arson.

By then, he said Khetheng had already been hauled before the Mokhotlong Magistrate’s Court where he was remanded in custody.

But he was later released on bail.

A disciplinary hearing was thereafter held and it was recommended that Khetheng be fired, the court was told.

After the Mokhotlong case, there were other arson cases reported in Leribe where the Pitso House in Hlotse and a guesthouse in Sebothoane were burned to the ground.

In Butha-Buthe, the Usave supermarket and a clothing store were also torched.

Moerane told the court that in all the cases, there were no known suspects.

“I received another call from Commissioner Letsoepa instructing me to arrest Khetheng as he had burnt all the said buildings.”

Around the same time, he said, he was appointed the acting Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP).