Soldier convicted for fake covid-19 certificate poisoned and died in prison

Staff reporter

Maseru – The murder of former Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) corporal Ntabejane Kanono who died from poisoning while in custody has again put Lesotho in the spotlight.

Corporal Kanono was one of the soldiers who were suspected of the 2015 mutiny by the then-army command of Major-General Khoantle Motśomotśo.

The then LDF commander, Tlali Kamoli, had been sent on forced leave.
Corporal Kanono was a close lieutenant of slain former army commander, Maaparankoe Mahao, hence they were both labeled mutiny suspects.

While Lt-Gen Mahao was killed on 25 June 2015, Corporal Kanono was arrested and allegedly tortured by his colleagues at Setibing Military Base.

In June 2021, he teamed up with 15 others to sue the current LDF commander, Lt-Gen Mojalefa Letsoela, jointly claiming a staggering M32 million from the LDF for the 2015 alleged torture and unlawful arrests.

The 15 were Tumelo Maja, Ngoliso Majara, Khorai Ralitlemo, Motšoene Motšoene, Thabiso Motsieloa, Thabang Lepota, Peter Mokhothu, Selebalo Sejake, Lintle Rantuba, Lehlohonolo Bolofo, Ntai Mosaku, Litšitso Mahase, Mokhapi Kelane, Mojalefa Mosakeng and Lehloa Ramotšo.

However, Lt-Gen Letsoela reacted by opposing their application.
The army boss further slapped them with letters asking them to “show cause why he should not suspend them.

They were subsequently suspended in July 2021 and hauled before a Board of Inquiry.

Lt-Gen Letsoela established the Board of Inquiry to investigate whether their action to convene and sue the LDF was not a mutinous act.
Corporal Kanono and others then petitioned the High Court to seek an order nullifying the LDF inquiry.

In their court papers, they stated that Corporal Kanono tested positive for Covid-19 and were all ordered to be checked for the infection.

Two days later, Corporal Kanono was “arrested” by LDF members and further made to reveal his medical records, according to
court papers.

The LDF allegedly conducted its tests and found that Corporal Kanono had fabricated the Covid-19 results which had said he was positive. Corporal Kanono was then charged before the Court Martial, on charges which included fraud. He was convicted after being found guilty last year.

Kanono died in the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) clinic in Maseru, where he had been rushed from his cell.

The Kanono family later conducted its autopsy, which allegedly revealed he had been poisoned.

This together with the murder of a renowned journalist, Ralikonelo Joki aka Leqashasha will put Lesotho on top of the murder list.

Leqashasha was gunned down after doing his last radio show on Tsenolo FM.

Crime in Lesotho will surely have an impact on investors and how Prime Minister, Sam Matekane responds will be watched with keen interest.

It will require a crime prevention strategy from the security cluster to curb murders and crime in general.

Last month Samson Mantashe, Minister of Minerals and Energy accused Basotho of doing illegal mining in South Africa of economic sabotage after at least 31 illegal miners from Lesotho were reported dead in an abandoned mine in Welkom.

Ntabejane will be buried tomorrow in Leribe.

This is a developing story.

Additional reporting by Lesotho Times