A man brutally assaulted by soldiers during a military operation in Liphakoeng two weeks ago has died. His gang told thepost on Tuesday that a private doctor told them that Mohaila Mokotjo’s lungs had been damaged. That is in line with the initial diagnosis that a doctor made when they took Mokotjo to a private clinic a day after he was severely beaten by soldiers during a raid.
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The army claimed its raid, which involved at least one helicopter, was part of its Operation Puff adder to weed out illegal firearms.
Liphakoeng villagers however said the army used crude tactics that involved beating them with sticks, boots, fists and shovels.
The army responded to those allegations of violence by saying it had “to use whatever was possible for us to use to get those illegal guns and ammunition”.
Mokotjo was staying at the home of one of the leaders of Terene ea Mokata-Lirope, Tšepiso Radebe, in Liphakoeng.
Thabang Mosoeunyane, the spokesman of Terene ea Mokata-Lirope, said Mokotjo died at a private clinic in Maputsoe.
“The lungs were bleeding and that caused his death,” Mosoeunyane said.
“It was clear after the torture that Ralikoriana would not live long. From the day he was beaten he would vomit every time he ate something.”
“Nothing stayed in his stomach. He vomited,” he said.
Mokotjo told the same story when he was interviewed by thepost a day after the assault. Mokotjo was from Qethane, Motse-Mocha, in Sebitia.
Chieftainess ’Mathikhoane Mathealira of Liphakoeng confirmed Mokotjo’s death.
Police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Kabelo Halahala, said they “heard of the sad news” but could not comment further.
The army spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sakeng Lekola, said he was unaware that a man had died after their operation in Liphakoeng.
“We left all the people alive during our operation. We did not leave anyone dead there,” Lieutenant Colonel Lekola said.
Majara Molupe