MASERU — Police last week arrested four men in connection with the murder of a local businessman last month.
The four, all aged between 20 and 41, are accused of gunning down in cold blood Thabo Phohleli who was the managing director of Astoria Bakery.
The suspects were arrested last Wednesday.
Phohleli was abducted from his home in Ha-Tsolo by armed gunmen on September 5.
The gunmen handcuffed Phohleli before speeding away in his car.
His lifeless body was found about an hour after he was abducted with a bullet wound on the forehead.
Police spokesman Masupha Masupha confirmed on Monday that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the murder.
Masupha said one of the suspects was a human resources manager at Astoria Bakery, now known as Sun Bakery.
“The human resources manager, a serial killer and two other men were arrested for allegedly killing Phohleli.
“One of the men was also an Astoria employee,” Masupha said.
“The serial killer was allegedly given M1 000 bribe to kill the deceased. He was wanted for a number of murder cases by police.”
The police said they suspected Phohleli was killed following a work-related dispute.
But the murder case took a twist a few weeks ago after one of the murder suspects was shot by his colleagues.
The suspect is in critical condition at a local hospital.
“The suspect was shot several times a few weeks ago.
“His colleagues tried to kill him after they heard that police had been to his place looking for him in connection with Phohleli’s case.
“They wanted to hide the evidence by killing him,” Masupha said.
The police said the four will appear in court soon to answer charges of murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
Masupha said the police net was closing in on other suspects linked to the murder.
Phohleli was a respected businessman.
He was a board member of the Lesotho Revenue Authority and the Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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