The High Court has issued a warrant of arrest Former Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy Mothetjoa Metsing for failure to appear before court today.

The High Court had earlier ordered that Metsing together with Selibe Mochoboroane, the leader of Movement for Economic Change and Minister of Development Planning, appear before court today so that they could be charged.

This was after the court dismissed their application in which they were challenging the decision of the Director of Public Prosecution to summarily charge them.

Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane issued the warrant after Advocate Motiea Teele who represents both Metsing and Mochoboroane, informed the Court that he did not know where his client was, however he had communicated with Metsing yesterday, where they had agreed that he would be in court today. Adv Teele said Metsing was fully aware of the case and the court order.

MEANWHILE
Metsing’s co-accused, Selibe Mochoboroane, who is also the Minister of Development Planning and leader of Movement for Economic Change, showed up in court where a charge sheet detailing ten counts of charges and alternatives was read to him together with his co-accused.

These are members of the Lesotho Defence Force namely Tlali Kamoli, Litekanyo Nyakane, Motloheloa Ntsane and Leutsoa Motsieloa.

They are facing various charges comprising treason, murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. They were however unable to plead as the court believed it was unfair for some of the accused who are not charged with other charges such as treason, to be present in court since they would not be involved in those proceedings.