High Court Hearing: Allegations of Theft by Army Following Maaparankoe Mahao’s Death

In a poignant testimony delivered before the High Court on Monday, Mr. Qamako Mahao alleged that members of the army unlawfully took belongings belonging to his late younger brother, Maaparankoe Mahao, after they allegedly killed him in 2015. Mr. Mahao’s statements were made as part of a case in which several army personnel, including former Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, face charges of murder related to his brother’s death.

As one of the state witnesses, Mr. Mahao recounted the harrowing events that followed his brother’s death, emphasizing the distressing circumstances surrounding the handling of Maaparankoe’s belongings. He claimed that the army took two cellphones, a gun, and his brother’s spectacles, further compounding the family’s grief and sense of injustice.

During his testimony, Mr. Mahao described how the family’s attempts to retrieve these items were met with hostility from the army and its leadership. “When we demanded the return of those items, the whole army, including Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, was uncooperative and aggressive,” he stated, illustrating the lack of support and transparency from military officials in the wake of a tragedy.

The family received some of Maaparankoe’s clothes after his death, which had been washed, but it was not until 2017 that a portion of his belongings—specifically the two cellphones and the gun—were finally returned to them by the army, facilitated through the police. Mr. Mahao lamented, however, that the spectacles belonging to his late brother remain missing to this day.

The proceedings in the High Court highlight not only the allegations of murder but also the broader issues of accountability and the treatment of families affected by military actions. As the case progresses, it sheds light on the ongoing struggles for justice faced by families like the Mahaos, who seek answers and restitution for their losses.

The court’s continued deliberations are keenly observed by the public and rights organizations, all advocating for justice and transparency in cases involving military personnel. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for military accountability and the rights of civilians in similar circumstances.