(MISA/IFEX) – On 21 March 2005, “Public Eye” editor-in-chief Bethuel Thai and journalist Khutliso Sekoati were summoned to appear before Lesotho’s chief magistrate, Molefi Makara, in connection with an article published in the newspaper’s 18 to 24 March edition, entitled, “R350,000 [approx. US$56,600] seized at airport”. Thai and Sekoati, who are former MISA-Lesotho national directors, […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 21 March 2005, “Public Eye” editor-in-chief Bethuel Thai and journalist Khutliso Sekoati were summoned to appear before Lesotho’s chief magistrate, Molefi Makara, in connection with an article published in the newspaper’s 18 to 24 March edition, entitled, “R350,000 [approx. US$56,600] seized at airport”. Thai and Sekoati, who are former MISA-Lesotho national directors, appeared before Chief Magistrate Makara on 21 March.
Speaking to MISA-Lesotho, Sekoati said the chief magistrate informed them that the article had “tarnished his image” and was “a product of individuals who were agitating for [his] downfall in the legal profession.” The magistrate also threatened to sue the newspaper in his personal capacity for allegedly “damaging his integrity,” Sekoati said.
“He informed us that he considered the article to be in contempt of court and wanted an apology. However, having gone through the trial records, we resolved that we would stand our ground and that the article had been fair and objective,” Sekoati told MISA-Lesotho.
Chief Magistrate Makara has since recused himself from the case against Muhammad Sohail, who was implicated in the airport money seizure. The case will be heard before Magistrate Mojela Mothebe on 9 May.
