Judge’s husband to face trial over M3m theft

MASERU-ACTING Chief Justice ‘Maseforo Mahase’s husband, Thabiso Mahase, could soon face trial for allegedly stealing M3 million meant for old-age pensioners.
Thabiso Mahase is charged together with his son Teboho Mahase. The father and son appeared before a deputy registrar of the High Court on Tuesday for a pre-trial interview.
They will report to the court again on November 26 for a trial date. Thabiso Mahase and his son are alleged to have stolen the money from Mafeteng Post Office in December 2016.
They allegedly took the money from security guards.

They were first arrested in December 2017 but were released without being charged after spending three days in a police cell.
Apart from the obvious embarrassment, the trial puts Justice Mahase in a difficult position as a judge and head of the judiciary.
After his arrest in 2017 Thabiso Mahase told thepost that the police tortured and denied him food.

He said they had sued the Minister of Police, Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police over malicious arrest and torture.
But he however declined to state the quantum of damages they have sought. At that time Thabiso Mahase said his arrest was malicious because when the money was stolen he was in South Africa in exile.
He returned to Lesotho in February 2017.
Thabiso Mahase is a controversial figure who has had several brushes with the authorities.
In 2007 Thabiso Mahase was accused of being part of a group that attacked homes of ministers Motloheloa Phooko and Mothetjoa Metsing during the 2007 post-election disturbances. He fled to South Africa and the government failed to get him extradited back to Lesotho.

Staff Reporter