AN MP, Reverend Tšepo Lipholo, yesterday asked parliament to push for the release of Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli from remand prison on bail. Rev Lipholo, who heads the Basotho Covenant Movement (BCM), told parliament that Lt Gen Kamoli must be granted bail since his co-accused are enjoying freedom while others are serving as ministers.
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He said while Lt Gen Kamoli languished in jail, his co-accused, Health Minister Selibe Mochoboroane, Mothetjoa Metsing, and his deputy, Labour Minister Tšeliso Mokhosi, were all granted bail.
“The people accused with him are here,” Rev Lipholo said.
“They are still coming to parliament. They are also working with the government,” he said.
He complained that Lt Gen Kamoli was incarcerated without his case being heard for three years and now he is in his seventh year in jail with his case being postponed from time-to-time.
“That is against the Speedy Trial Act that says one should be prosecuted and convicted within 90 days,” he said.
“I make it clear that those who were accused with Kamoli were afforded bail while Kamoli was left to languish in prison,” he said.
“He is being chased for political reasons. His right to justice has been trampled on.”
He complained that Lt Gen Kamoli’s case might set a bad precedent in the justice system of Lesotho.
“It also makes people lose confidence in our courts and the system at large.”
He said that some of Lt Gen Kamoli’s accomplices were granted bail, “yet they are springboks and are known for fleeing the country”.
He said it was not fair that Lt Gen Kamoli had been denied bail for more than three years.
“Kamoli was never arrested, he was called by police officers at the office and he willingly went there.”
“This House must be aware that Kamoli stands a chance to launch a court case against the government for detaining him this long without a conviction,” he said.
“The money that will be used to pay him will be taken from the public purse.”
He further appealed to the government to sit down and review Lt Gen Kamoli’s case as the constitution gives him the right to get bail.
The Speaker, Tlohang Sekhamane, advised Rev Lipholo to write an urgent question.
“Your point of order is raising awareness to the government. This needs you to (submit) an urgent question,” Sekhamane said.
He again told Rev Lipholo that making the issue a point of order would not do justice to the matter.
Rev Lipholo said it is true that Lt Gen Kamoli’s case was not heard within 90 days contrary to the law.
“He should be released,” he said.
He said the prosecution office should also review how they have been working on the case.
“Kamoli is a Mosotho like any of us, he deserves justice,” he said.
The Basotho National Party (BNP) leader Machesetsa Mofomobe, argued that Lt Gen Kamoli has been charged.
“He is misleading the House on some issues because no prisoner can be admitted in prison without a charge,” Mofomobe said.
“A blue form means the court has remanded such a person,” he said.
Staff Reporter
