Mohoshela v Officer Commanding Thaba-Tseka Police and Another (CIV/APN 2 of 95) [1996] LSHC 80 (9 August 1996)

C I V / A P N / 2 / 95 IN T HE H I GH C O U RT OF L E S O T HO In t he m a t t er b e t w e e n :- T S E LE M O H O S H E LA A P P L I C A NT A ND O F F I C ER C O M M A N D I NG T H A B A - T S E KA P O L I CE 1 ST R E S P O N D E NT A T T O R N E Y - G E N E R AL 2 ND R E S P O N D E NT J U D G M E NT D e l i v e r ed by t he H o n o u r a b le M r. J u s t i ce M . M. R a m o d i b e d i, A c t i ng J u d ge on t he 9 th d ay of A u g u s t, 1 9 9 6. It is c o m m on c a u se t h at on or a b o ut t he 8 th D e c e m b e r, 1 9 94 t he p o l i ce u n d er F i r st R e s p o n d e nt s t o p p ed t he A p p l i c a nt on h is w ay to h is s h op i n f o r m i ng h im t h at t h ey w e re " c h e c k i ng on v e h i c l es a nd w o u ld l i ke to s ee t he r e g i s t r a t i on c e r t i f i- c a t e s" of t he A p p l i c a n t 's v e h i c l e s. T he l a t t er w e nt b a ck to h is h o m e s t e ad a nd b r o u g ht b a ck t he r e g i s t r a t i on c e r t i f i c a t es in r e s p e ct of " t h r ee v e h i c l es w h i ch w e re p a r k ed at my h o m e, n a m e ly F 0 2 2 5, B 1 0 09 a nd a h i l ux ( t o y o t a) v an w i th r e g i s t r a- t i on n u m b e rs E 1 3 4 8 ." ( s ee p a r a g r a ph 7 of A p p l i c a n t 's f o u n d- ing a f f i d a v it a nd t he a d m i s s i on t h e r e of by t he R e s p o n d e n ts in p a r a g r a ph 8 of t he o p p o s i ng a f f i d a v it of p o l i c e m an M o t s e ki N k e a n e. It is f u r t h er c o m m on c a u se t h at t he p o l i ce t h en s e i z ed t he a f o r e s a id t h r ee m o t or v e h i c l es w h i ch w e re p a r k ed at A p p l i c a n t 's h o me a nd t o ok t h em to t he p o l i ce s t a t i on w h e re t h ey " s e a r c h e d" t h em in t he p r e s e n ce of t he A p p l i c a nt a nd t h en r e l e a s ed t he t o y o ta v an w i th r e g i s t r a t i on n u m b e rs E 1 3 4 8. 2 / . .. - 2- T he o t h er t wo m o t or v e h i c l es w e re d e t a i n ed by t he p o l i c e. It is c o m m on c a u s e, f u r t h e r, t h at t he p o l i ce d id n ot p r e f er a ny c h a r ge w h a t s o e v er a g a i n st t he A p p l i c a nt in r e s p e ct of a ny of t he a f o r e s a id m o t or v e h i c l e s. P o l i c e m an M o t s e ki N k e a ne a v e rs in p a r a g r a ph 16 of h is o p p o s i ng a f f i d a v i t: " It is a d m i t t ed t h at no c h a r ge h as as y et b e en p r e f e r r ed a g a i n st a n y b o dy d ue to t he f a ct t h at we w e re h o p i ng t h at we w o u ld g et s o me a s s i s t a n ce f r om t he a p p l i c a nt a nd t he p e r s on f r om w h om he b o u g ht t he v e h i c l es in o r d er to s o l ve t he m a t t er m ay be e v en w i t h o ut h a v i ng to go to c o u rt w h i ch A p p l i c a nt c an t a n ce is n ot f o r t h c o m i n g. n ot be a l l o w ed to p o s s e ss a v e h i c le w h i ch d o es n ot h a ve p r o p er d o c u m e n t s. e a r l i er t he b l ue c a rd r e l a te ( s i c) to a d a t s un n ot a n i s s an v an a nd t h e re is a l so t e m p e r i ng ( s i c) of e n g i ne a nd c h a s s is n u m b e r. t a n ce f r om t he S o u th A f r i c an P o l i ce in o r d er to t e st w h e t h er o ur s u s p i c i on i ng t he t e m p e r i ng ( s i c) c an be c o n f i r m e d ." We a re s t i ll t r y i ng to g et a s s i s- As s t a t ed a s s i s- r e g a r d- It w as a g a i n st t he a f o r e s a id b a c k g r o u nd t h at on t he 3 rd d ay of J a n u a r y, 1 9 95 t he A p p l i c a nt f i l ed an u r g e nt a p p l i- c a t i on w i th t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u rt f or an o r d er in t he f o l l o w- i ng t e r m s :- ( a) D i s p e n s i ng w i th t he p e r i o ds of n o t i ce r e q u i r ed by t he r u l es of c o u rt on t he g r o u n ds of t he u r g e n cy of t h is m a t t e r; ( b) D i r e c t i ng F i r st R e s p o n d e nt a n d / or o f f i c e rs s u b o r d i n a te to h im to r e l e a se f o r t h w i th A p p l i c a n t 's m o t or v e h i c l es w i th r e g i s t r a t i on n u m b e rs F 0 2 25 a nd B 1 0 09 a nd t h e ir r e g i s t r a t i on c e r t i f i- c a t e s. ( c) A l t e r n a t i v e ly to ( b) d i r e c t i ng R e s p o n d e nt a n d / or o f f i c e rs to h im to b r i ng A p p l i c a nt b e f o re a c o u rt of c o m p e t e nt j u r i s d i c t i on in F i r st s u b o r d i n a te 2 / . .. - 3- r e l a t i on to t he s a id v e h i c l es so t h at A p p l i c a nt m ay be d e a lt w i th in a c c o r- d a n ce w i th t he l a w; ( d) D i r e c t i ng R e s p o n d e nt to p ay t he c o s ts of t h is a p p l i c a t i o n; ( e) G r a n t i ng A p p l i c a nt f u r t h er a n d / or a l t e r n a t i ve r e l i e f. I o b s e r ve at t h is j u n c t u re t h at A p p l i c a n t 's c h a l l e n ge to F i r st R e s p o n d e nt to r e l e a se t he s a id m o t or v e h i c l es or b r i ng h im b e f o re a c o u rt of c o m p e t e nt j u r i s d i c- t i on w as a d d r e s s ed to t he F i r st R e s p o n d e nt in w r i t i ng by A p p l i c a n t 's a t t o r n ey on 1 3 th d ay of D e c e m b e r, 1 9 94 in t e r ms of A n n e x t u re " T M 1" to t he A p p l i c a n t 's f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v i t. 1 a t t a ch s i g n i f i c a n ce to t he f a ct t h at t h is c h a l l e n ge w as n e i t h er t a k en up by t he F i r st R e s p o n d e nt n or d id he b o t h er to r e p ly to t he s a id l e t t e r. T h is is c e r t a i n ly o ne of t he a s p e c ts to w h i ch t h is c o u rt m u st i n e v i t a b ly a t t a ch d ue w e i g h t. I a l so a t t a ch s i g n i f i c a n ce to t he f a ct t h at t he a f o r e s a id A p p l i c a n t 's m o t or v e h i c le r e g i s t r a t i on B 1 0 09 w as s u b s e q u e n t ly r e l e a s ed to h i m. A c l e ar p i c t u re t h en e m e r g e s, in my v i e w, of t he p o l i ce g o i ng on a f i s h i ng e x p e d i t i on to " c h e c k" a nd s e i ze A p p l i c a n t 's m o t or v e h i c l es at r a n d om w i t h- o ut a ny r e a s o n a b le s u s p i c i on of a c r i me h a v i ng b e en c o m m i t t ed a nd t h en r e l e a s i ng s o me of t h em if a nd w h en it s u i ts t h e m. A f t er a f ew p o s t p o n e m e n ts t h is a p p l i c a t i on w as f i n a l ly a r g u ed b e f o re me on t he 2 nd d ay of A u g u s t, 1 9 9 6. T he a p p l i c a- t i on p r e d i c t a b ly c e n t r ed on m o t or v e h i c le r e g i s t r a t i on F 0 2 25 o n l y. I i n q u i r ed f r om c o u n s el w ho a p p e a r ed b e f o re me w h e t h er a ny c h a r ge h ad n ow b e en p r e f e r r ed a g a i n st t he A p p l i c a n t. B o th M r. P h e ko f or t he A p p l i c a nt a nd M r. P u t s o a ne f or t he - R e s p o n d e n ts w e re u n a n i m o us t h at no c h a r ge h as e v er b e en p r e- f e r r ed a g a i n st t he A p p l i c a nt to d a t e. I w i ll c o me b a ck to t h is a s p e ct l a t e r. 4 / . .. - 4- B a s i c a l ly M r. P u t s o a ne o p p o s es t he A p p l i c a t i on f or t he r e l e a se of t he m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i on on t h r ee g r o u n ds n a m e l y :- ( a) t h at t he m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i on w as n ot p r o p e r ly r e g i s t e r ed in as m u ch as ( so t he a r g u m e nt g o e s) t he b l ue c a rd t h e r e of is in t he n a me of S . W. R u s s e ll a nd n ot t he A p p l i- c a n t ' s. ( b) T h at t he m o t or v e h i c le in t he p o l i ce c u s t o dy is a N i s s an a nd n ot a D a t s u n. ( c) T h at K e k e l e t so M o k o k o a na f r om w h om t he A p p l i c a nt a l l e g es to h a ve b o u g ht t he m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i on is n ot t he p e r s on w ho is r e f e r r ed to in t he b l ue c a r d. It s e e ms to me t h at M r. P u t s o a n e 's s u b m i s s i o ns ( a) a nd ( c) a b o ve r e l a te to o ne a nd t he s a me i s s u e. In d e a l i ng w i th t h e se s u b m i s s i o ns it is i m p o r t a nt to n o te t h at A p p l i- c a n t 's c l a im is n ot b a s ed on o w n e r s h ip b ut on p o s s e s s i o n. It is t r ue he s t a t es in p a r a g r a ph 5 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a- v it t h at at a ll m a t e r i al t i m es "I h a ve b e en t he l a w f ul o w n er a nd p o s s e s s o r" of t he m o t or v e h i c l es i n q u e st i o n. B ut in p a r a g r a p hs 11 a nd 12 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it t he A p p l i c a nt c l e a r ly s t a t es t h at " a ll t h o se t h r ee v e h i c l es w e re n ot y et r e g i s t e r ed in my n a m es as t h e re h as n ot y et b e en e f f e c t ed a ny c h a n ge of o w n e r s h i p ." He a d ds in p a r a g r a ph 12 t h e r e o f: "I t h en i n f o r m ed t he s a id o f f i c e rs t h at I h ad b o u g ht t wo of t he s a id v e h i c le ( s i c) f r om o ne K e k e l e t so M o k o k o a ne a nd w as s t i ll w a i t i ng f or h im to s i gn c h a n ge of o w n e r s h ip f o r m s ." 5 / . .. - 5- In my j u d g m e nt it w o u ld be f a r f e t c h ed to e x p e ct t he A p p l i c a n t 's n a m es n or e v en t h o se of K e k e l e t so M o k o k o a ne to a p p e ar in t he b l ue c a rd in q u e s t i on in t he c i r c u m s t a n c e s. A p e r s o n 's n a m es o n ly a p p e ar in t he b l ue c a rd at r e g i s t r a t i on f o l l o w i ng c h a n ge of o w n e r s h ip w h i ch w i ll o f t en be a f t er f u ll p a y m e nt h as b e en m a de a nd t he v e h i c le in q u e s t i on h as b e en t r a n s f e r r ed to t he n ew " o w n e r ". S e c t i on 11 of t he R o ad T r a f f ic A ct N o. 8 of 1 9 81 p r o v i d es as f o l l o w s: ( 1) A m o t or v e h i c le or t r a i l er t he o w n e r s h ip of w h i ch h as b e en t r a n s f e r r ed by t he r e g i s t e r ed o w n e r, s h a ll n ot be u s ed on a p u b l ic r o ad f or m o re t h an 21 d a ys a f t er t he d a te of s u ch t r a n s f er u n l e ss t he n ew o w n er is r e g i s t e r ed t he o w n er t h e r e o f. ( 2) On c h a n g i ng o w n e r s h ip of a m o t or v e h i c le or t r a i l er t he r e g i s t e r ed o w n er s h a ll w i t h in 7 d a ys f r om t he d a te of s u ch t r a n s f er w h e re t he v e h i c le is r e g i s t e r ed w i th t he r e g i s t e r- ing a u t h o r i ty in L e s o t ho :- ( a) t r a n s m it to t he r e g i s t e r i ng a u t h o r i ty a n o t i ce of t r a n s f er of o w n e r s h ip in t he p r e s c r i b ed f o r m, c o m p e t e nt by t he t r a n s f e r or a nd t r a n s f e r e e, a nd s h a ll d e l i v er to t he t r a n s f e r e e , n ot b e i ng a m o t or d e a l e r; ( i) a c o py of t he n o t i ce of t r a n s f er of o w n e r s h i p; ( i i) t he r e g i s t r a t i on c e r t i f i c a t e, v e h i c le l i c e n ce a nd c l e a r a n ce c e r t i f i c a te in r e s p e ct of a nd in so f ar as t h ey a re a p p l i c- a b le to s u ch v e h i c l e; 6 / . .. - 6- ( i i i) a c e r t i f i c a te f r om t he r e g i s t e r i ng a u t h o r i ty t h at t he r e g i s t r a t i on or r e l a t i ng to t he m o t or v e h i c le t r a i l er w as i s s u ed by t h at a u t h o- r i t y; ( i v) ( v) a c e r t i f i c a te f r om t he L e s o t ho M o u n t ed P o l i ce to t he e f f e ct t h at t he m o t or v e h i c le or t r a i l er is n ot s u s p e c t ed of h a v i ng b e en u n l a w- f u l ly a c q u i r e d; in t he c a se of t r a n s f er of o w n e r- s h ip of a m o t or v e h i c le or t r a i l er w h i ch h as b e en r e g i s t e r ed in Lesotho f or l e ss t h an t wo y e a r s, a c e r t i- f i c a te f r om t he L e s o t ho C u s t o ms O f f i ce to t he e f f e ct t h at t he m o t or v e h i c le or t r a i l er h as b e en c l e a r ed in a c c o r d a n ce w i th t he l aw r e l a t i ng to c u s t o m s; ( b) t he t r a n s f e r ee s h a ll t h e r e u p o n, a p p ly to t he r e g i s t e r i ng a u t h o r i ty f or t he t r a n s f er of t he r e g i s t r a t i on c e r t i f i c a te to h is n a me u p on t he p r o d u c t i on of t he d o c u m e n ts r e f e r r ed to in ( a) a nd u p on p a y m e nt of t he p r e s c r i b ed f ee to t he l i c e n s i ng o f f i c e r. It is c l e ar f r om t he a b o ve s e c t i on t h at t he law d o es e n v i s a ge a s i t u a t i on w h e re a p e r s on m ay " o w n" or p o s s e ss a m o t or v e h i c le m e r e ly a r m ed w i th t he f o r m er o w n e r 's r e g i s t r a- t i on c e r t i f i c a te as l o ng as t he m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i on is p a r k ed as in t he p r e s e nt c a se a nd it is " n ot u s ed on a p u b l ic r o a d ." R e g a r d i ng M r. P u t s o a n e 's s u b m i s s i on ( b) a b o ve t h at t he m o t or v e h i c le in t he p o l i ce c u s t o dy is a N i s s an a nd n ot a D a t s un it s e e ms to me t h at he c o n v e n i e n t ly o v e r l o o ks t he A p p l i c a n t 's e x p l a n a t i on t h at " t he s a id K e k e l e t so M o k o k o a ne b o u g ht t he e x t e r n al p a r ts of a N i s s an w h i le t he i n t e r n al p a r ts r e m a i n ed t h o se of a D a t s u n ." I c o n s i d er t h at t h is e x p l a n a t i on m ay r e a s o n a b ly p o s s i b ly be t r u e. B ut t h en M r. P u t s o a ne c o m- p H J ns t h at t h is e x p l a n a t i on c a me l a te at a r e p l y i ng s t a g e. I a g r ee w i th M r. P h e ko h o w e v er t h at t h is e x p l a n a t i on w as a 7 / . .. - 7- n a t u r al r e s p o n se to p a r a g r a ph 9 of M o t s e ki N k e a n e 's o p p o s i ng a f f i d a v it in w h i ch he s t a t e d :- I w i sh to " C o n t e n ts t h e r e of a re a d m i t t e d. f u r t h er i n f o rm t he H o n o u r a b le C o u rt t h at t he b l ue c a rd w h i ch w as p r o d u c ed by a p p l i- c a nt w h i ch p u r p o r t e d ly r e l a t ed to t he n i s s an v an r e f l e c t ed t h at it r e l a t ed to a d a t s un n ot a n i s s an v an t he m o d el of t he s a id d a t s un w as a 1 9 80 m o d el w h i le t he n i s s an v an w h i ch is a s u b j e ct m a t t er of t h is a p p l i c a t i on is a m o d el w h i ch f i r st c a me i n to t he m a r k et in 1 9 8 8 ." It w as t h us n e c e s s a ry a nd n a t u r al f or t he A p p l i c a nt to e x p l a in h ow t he m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i on c a me to h a ve t he e x t e r n al a p p e a r a n ce of a n i s s a n. In my j u d g m e nt t he o n us is on t he F i r st r e s p o n d e nt to j u s t i fy t he s e i z u re of A p p l i c a n t 's a f o r e s a id m o t or v e h i c l e ( s) a nd to s h ow t h at t he p o l i ce h ad a r e a s o n a b le s u s p i c i on t h at t he m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i on w as s t o l e n. P a r a g r a ph 12 of M o t s e ki N k e a n e 's o p p o s i ng a f f i d a v it f a l ls s h o rt of s a t i s f y i ng t he t e st of r e a s o n a b le s u s p i c i o n. He m e r e ly s t a t e s :- " It is d e n i ed t h at w h o e v er s a id t he v e h i c l es w e re b e i ng s e i z ed b e c a u se a p p l i c a nt b o u g ht t h em f r om a t h i e f. T he v e h i c l es w e re s e i z ed b e c a u se t h ey w e re b e i ng s u s p e c t ed of b e i ng s t o l en or o t h e r w i se n ot p r o p e r ly a c q u i r e d. A p p l i c a nt w as f u r t h er i n f o r m ed t h at e n g i ne a nd c h a s is n u m b e rs a p p e a r ed to be t a m p e r ed w i th a nd t h at we w a n t ed to m a ke f u r t h er i n- v e s t i g a t i o ns in r e s p e ct of t he s a id t a m p e r i n g ." I e m p h a s i se t h at t he t e st is r e a s o n a b le s u s p i c i on n ot j u st s u s p i c i on b a s ed on t he w h i ms of t he b e h o l d e r. T h at is p r e c i s e ly t he w h o le i m p o rt of S e c t i on 52 of t he C r i m i n al P r o c e d u re a nd E v i d e n ce A ct 1 9 8 1. As to t he a l l e g ed t a m p e r i ng of t he e n g i ne a nd c h a s s is n u m b e rs I o b s e r ve t h at S e c t i on 15 of t he R o ad T r a f f ic A ct 198-1 as a m e n d ed p r o v i d es as f o l l o w s :- - 8- ( 1) "A p e r s on d r i v i n g, or f o u nd in p o s s e s s i on of a m o t or v e h i c le or t r a i l e r, t he c h a s s is or e n g i ne n u m b e r, or o t h er i d e n t i f i c a t i on m a rk w h i ch h as b e en o b l i t e r a t ed or t a m p e r ed w i th o t h e r w i se t h an by a r e g i s- t e r i ng a u t h o r i ty u n d er s e c. 9, i s, u n l e ss he p r o v es to t he c o u rt t h a t, ( a) in t he c a se of a m o t or v e h i c le or t r a i l er p u r c h a s ed f r om o u t s i de L e s o t h o, s u ch o b l i t e r a t i on or t a m p e r i ng w as d o ne by a l a w f ul a u t h o r i ty of t he p l a ce w h e re t he v e h i c le w as p u r c h a s e d; ( b) he d id n ot k n ow or c o u ld n ot h a ve k n o wn t h at t he n u m b er h ad b e en t a m p e r ed w i t h, is g u i l ty of an o f f e n ce a nd l i a b le to i m p r i s o n m e nt f or a p e r i od of n ot l e ss t h an 2 y e a rs w i t h o ut t he o p t i on of a f i n e ." It s e e ms to me t h at t he w o r ds " o t h e r w i se t h an by a r e g i s t e r i ng a u t h o r i t y" w e re i n t e n d ed to m a ke t he r e g i s t e r i ng a u t h o r i ty t he m a in r o le p l a y er in d e t e r m i n i ng w h e t h er t h e re h as b e en u n l a w f ul t a m p e r i ng of c h a s s is or e n g i ne n u m b e r s. It w as f or t h is r e a s on t h at t he c o u rt i n q u i r ed f r om M r. Putsoane w h e t h er t he r e s p o n d e n ts h ad f i l ed a ny a f f i d a v it f r om t he r e g i s t e r i ng a u t h o r i ty in q u e s t i on as t h e re w as n o ne in t he c o u rt f i l e. M r. P u t s o a ne a s s u r ed t he c o u rt t h at no s u ch a f f i d a v it h ad b e en f i l e d. I f i nd t h is s t r a n ge a nd u n a c c e p t- a b le r e g a rd b e i ng h ad to p a r a g r a ph 16 of M o t s e ki N k e a n e 's o p p o s i ng a f f i d a v it in w h i ch he c l a i m s: " . . . . we a re s t i ll t r y i ng to g et a s s i s t a n ce f r om t he S o u th A f r i c an p o l i ce in o r d er to t e st w h e t h er o ur s u s p i c i on r e g a r d i ng t he t e m p e r i ng ( s i c) c an be c o n f i r m e d ." O ne w o u ld h a ve t h o u g ht t h at if t he p o l i ce w e re r e a l ly s e r i o us a nd a c t i ng r e s p o n s i b ly in t he m a t t er t he e a s i e st t h i ng w o u ld h a ve b e en to c o n t a ct t he r e g i s t e r i ng a u t h o r i ty a nd h a ve h is a f f i d a v it f i l ed in t he m a t t e r. 9 / . .. - 9- Be t h at as it m ay I am s a t i s f i ed f r om t he f a c ts a nd c i r c u m s t a n c es of t h is c a se t h at t he A p p l i c a nt is at l e a st a b o na f i de p o s s e s s o r. In t h is r e s p e ct I o b s e r ve t h at he is u n c h a l l e n g ed in h is m a t e r i al a v e r m e nt in p a r a g r a ph 5 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it w h e r e in he s t a t e s: " At a ll m a t e r i al t i m e, I h a ve b e en t he l a w f ul o w n er a nd p o s s e s s or of t wo m o t o r - v e h i c l e s; n a m e ly a N i s s an v an w i th r e g i s t r a t i on n u m b e rs F 0 2 25 a nd a C a n t er t r u ck w i th r e g i s t r a t i on n u m b e rs B 1 0 0 9. I do n ot r e c a ll t he e n g i ne a nd c h a s s is n u m b e rs of t he s a id v e h i c l es by m e m o r y ." In h is r e p ly M o t s e ki N k e a ne m e r e ly s a ys in p a r a g r a ph 7 of h is o p p o s i ng a f f i d a v it :- " C o n t e n ts t h e r e of a re n ot w i t h in my p e r s o n al k n o w l e d ge a nd p ut a p p l i c a nt to p r o of t h e r e o f ." I c o n s i d er t h at t h is a f f o r ds no a n s w er to A p p l i c a n t 's a l l e g a t i on t h at he is t he l a w f ul o w n er a nd p o s s e s s or w h i ch t h e r e f o re r e m a i ns u n c h a l l e n g e d. In S t e v en M o k o ne C h o b o k o a ne vs A . G. C of A ( C I V) No.15 of 1984 Aaron JA put the point succinctly as follows: "In Motion pro- ceedings, it is not an adequate answer to say" I put the Applicant to the proof t h e r e o f. T he a f f i d a v it m a de by t he A p p e l l a nt c o n s t i t u t es n ot o n ly h is a l l e g a t i o ns b ut a l so h is e v i d e n c e, a nd if t h is is n ot c o n t r a v e r t ed or e x p l a i n e d, it w i ll u s u a l ly be a c c e p t ed by t he C o u r t. In o t h er w o r ds t he a f f i d a v it i t s e lf c o n s t i t u t es p r o o f, a nd no f u r t h er p r o of is n e c e s s a r y ." W i th r e s p e ct I e n t i r e ly a g r e e. 1 0 / . .. - 1 0- In c o m i ng to t he c o n c l u s i on t h at t he A p p l i c a nt is a b o na f i de p o s s e s s or I h a ve a l so t a k en i n to a c c o u nt t he f a ct n ot o n ly t h at t he A p p l i c a nt d e n i es t he a l l e g ed t a m p e r i ng of c h a s s is a nd e n g i ne n u m b e rs b ut a l so t h at t he p o l i ce h a ve n ot c h a r g ed h im w i th a ny o f f e n ce f or s u ch a l o ng p e r i od of t i me s t r e t c h i ng to e i g h t e en ( 1 8) m o n t hs n o w. T h e re w as no i n d i- c a t i on e v en as t he m a t t er w as b e i ng a r g u ed b e f o re me as to w h e t h er a ny c h a r ge w o u ld be f o r t h c o m i ng a nd if so w h e n. In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es I h e r e by d r aw an a d v e r se i n f e r e n ce f r om t he c o n d u ct of t he p o l i ce t h at t h ey h a ve no g e n u i ne c a se a g a i n st t he A p p l i c a nt a nd t h at t he l e t t e r 's p o s s e s s i on is b o na f i d e. T he C o u rt m e ro m o tu p o i n t ed o ut to M r. P u t s o a ne t he d e c i s i on of t he C o u rt of A p p e al in I k a n e ng M a k a k o le v T he O f f i c er C o m m a n d i ng C . I . D. M a s e ru a nd T he A t t o r n ey G e n e r al C of A ( C I V) N o. 1 8 / 8 5. T he C o u rt w as t a k en a b a ck w h en M r. P u t s o a ne s u b m i t t ed t h at t he a f o r e s a id d e c i s i on of t he C o u rt of A p p e al is " w r o n g ". T h at m ay w e ll e x p l a in t he s t r a n ge a t t i t u de of t he p o l i ce in t h is m a t t e r . O ne n e e ds h a r d ly e m p h a s i se t h at t he C o u rt of A p p e al is t he h i g h e st c o u rt in t he c o u n t ry a nd t h at i ts j u d g m e n ts a re b i n d i ng u p on t h is c o u r t. T he m a in p r i n c i p le l a id d o wn in I k a n e ng M a k a k o le vs T he O f f i c er C o m m a n d i ng C . I . D. a nd A n o t h er ( s u p r a) is t h at " t he s t a t u t o ry p r o v i s i o ns r e l a t i ng to d e t e n t i on of p r o p e r ty g e n e r a l ly a n t i c i p a te p r o s e c u t i on f or a r e l e v a nt o f f e n c e ." In o t h er w o r ds " w h at w as v i s u a l i z ed by t he l e g i s l a t u re w as p u r p o s e f ul d e t e n t i o n" (my u n d e r l y i n g ). I respectfully agree. It is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at in I k a n e ng M a k a k o l e 's c a se ( s u p r a) t he m o t or v e h i c le in d i s p u te h ad b e en in p o l i ce c u s t o dy f or n i ne ( 9) m o n t h s. In d e a l i ng w i th t h is a s p e ct M i l l er J . A. h ad t h is to s a y: 1 1 / . .. - 1 1- " If a s t a ge is r e a c h ed w h en t he d e t e n t i on a p p e a rs no l o n g er to be p u r p o s e f u l, t h e re c an s u r e ly be no p o i nt in c o n t i n u ed d e t e n t i on of t he p r o p e r t y. It a p p e a rs to me t h at in t h is p a r t i c u l ar c ar t h at s t a ge w as r e a c h ed s o me t i me a go a nd t h at it is j u st a nd p r o p er to r e l e a se t he c ar to t he A p p l i c a nt as t he p e r s on w ho w as in b o na f i de p o s s e s s i on t h e r e of at t he t i me of i ts s e i z u r e ." T h e se r e m a r ks a re a p p o s i te to t he a p p l i c a t i on b e f o re me a nd I r e s p e c t f u l ly a d o pt t h em in t o t o. I f i nd it t o t a l ly u n a c c e p t a b le in t h is c a se t h at f u ll e i g h t e en ( 1 8) m o n t hs h a ve g o ne by w i t h o ut a ny c h a r ge b e i ng p r e f e r r ed a g a i n st t he A p p l i c a nt a nd t h at in t he m e a n t i me h is m o t or v e h i c le is d e t a i n ed in c i r c u m s t a n c es t h at do n ot r u le o ut e t e r n i t y. It s e e ms to me t h at t he b a l a n ce of c o n v e n i e n ce a l so f a v o u rs t he A p p l i c a nt w ho o b v i o u s ly n e e ds h is m o t or v e h i c le "in t he c o n d u ct of my b u s i n e s s" as he p u ts it in p a r a g r a ph 24 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v i t. T h e re is a g a in t he a s p e ct of t he m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i on w a s t i ng in p o l i ce c u s t o d y. In t h at r e g a rd t he A p p l i c a nt s t a t es in p a r a g r a ph 25 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v i t: " " F u r t h e r m o r e, it is n ow a n o t o r i o us f a ct t h at t he l o n g er t he v e h i c l es r e m a in in p o l i ce c u s t o d y, t he g r e a t er t he c h a n c es of t h e ir b e i ng s t r i p p ed of p a r t s. A l m o st i n v a r i a b ly t he m i s s i ng i t e ms a re n e v er f o u nd and t he p o l i ce a l w a ys d e c l i ne to p ay f or t he s a id m i s s i ng a n d / or d a m a g ed i t e m s; m u ch to t he d e t r i m e nt of t he o w n er of t he s a id v e h i c l e ." O n ce m o re M o t s e ki N k e a n e 's r e p ly to t h is s e r i o us a l l e g a t i on l e v e l l ed a g a i n st t he p o l i ce is m e r e ly t h at " c o n t e n ts t h e r e of a re n ot w i t h in my p e r s o n al k n o w l e d g e ". 1 2 / . .. - 1 2- As e a r l i er s t a t ed t h is f o rm of r e p ly a f f o r ds no a n s w er or c h a l l e n ge to t he A p p l i c a n t 's a v e r m e nt w h i ch in t he c i r c u m s t a n c es I c an s ee no r e a s on f or r e j e c t i n g. O n ce m o re t he b a l a n ce of c o n v e n i e n ce a nd j u s t i ce d i c t a t es t h at I s h o u ld o r d er t he r e l e a se of t he s a id m o t or v e h i c le to t he A p p l i c a nt in t he s p e c i al c i r c u m s t a n c es of t h is c a s e. I o b s e r ve t h at t he C o u rt of A p p e al in I k a n e ng M a k a k o l e 's c a se ( s u p r a) p a r t i c u l a r ly t o ok a d e em v i ew of t he f a ct t h at t he p o l i ce a l so u s ed t he m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i on f or t h e ir o wn p u r p o s e s. W i th r e s p e ct I s h a re t he s a me c o n c e rn in t h is m a t t er r e g a r d i ng t he r e al l i k e l i h o od of A p p l i c a n t 's v e h i c le b e i ng s t r i p p ed of p a r ts in p o l i ce c u s t o d y. In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t h is c a se as a f o r e s a i d, I h a ve c o me to t he c o n c l u s i on t h at t he c o n t i n u ed d e t e n t i on of A p p l i c a n t 's m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i on is u n r e a s o n a b le in t he e x t r e me a nd s e r v es no p u r p o se p a r t i c u l a r ly in t he a b s e n ce of a ny c h a r ge a nd h a v i ng r e g a rd to t he l e n g t hy p e r i od t h at t he s a id m o t or v e h i c le h as a l r e a dy s p e nt in p o l i ce c u s t o dy w i t h- o ut a ny c h a r ge w h a t s o e v e r. It a p p e a rs to me t h at a s t a ge h as n ow b e en r e a c h ed w h e r e by t he p o l i ce a c t i on in t h is m a t t er c an be d e s c r i b ed as a m o u n t i ng to a r b i t r a ry s e i z u re of p r o p e r ty c o n t r a ry to S e c t i on 17 of t he C o n s t i t u t i on of L e s o t ho w h i ch p r o v i d es in p a r t :- " 17 ( 1) No p r o p e r t y, m o v a b le or i m m o v a b l e, s h a ll be t a k en p o s s e s s i on of c o m p u l s o r i l y, a nd no i n t e r e st in or r i g ht o v er a ny s u ch p r o p e r ty s h a ll be c o m p u l s o r i ly a c q u i r e d, e x c e pt w h e re t he f o l l o w i ng c o n d i t i o ns a re s a t i s f i e d, t h at is to s ay - ( a) t he t a k i ng of p o s s e s s i on or a c q u i s i t i on is n e c e s s a ry in t he i n t e r e s ts of d e f e n c e, p u b l ic s a f e t y, p u b l ic o r d e r, p u b l ic m o r a l i t y, p u b l ic h e a l t h, t o wn a nd c o u n t ry p l a n n i ng or t he d e v e l o p- m e nt or u t i l i s a t i on of a ny p r o p e r ty in s u ch m a n n er as to p r o m o te t he p u b l ic b e n e f i t; a nd 1 3 / . .. - 1 3- ( b) t he n e c e s s i ty t h e r e f or is s u ch as to a f f o rd r e a s o n a b le j u s t i f i c a t i on f or t he c a u s i ng of a ny h a r d s h ip t h at m ay r e s u lt to a ny p e r s on h a v i ng an i n t e r e st in or r i g ht o v er t he p r o p e r t y; a nd ( c) p r o v i s i on is m a de by a l aw a p p l i c a b le to t h at t a k i ng of p o s s e s s i on or a c q u i s i t i on f or t he p r o m pt p a y m e nt of f u ll c o m p e n s a t i o n. ( 2) E v e ry p e r s on h a v i ng an i n t e r e st in or r i g ht o v er p r o p e r ty w h i ch is c o m p u l s o r i ly t a k en p o s s e s s i on of or w h o se i n t e r e st in or r i g ht o v er a ny p r o p e r ty is c o m p u l s o r i ly a c q u i r ed s h a ll h a ve a r i g ht of d i r e ct a c c e ss to t he H i gh C o u rt f or - ( a) t he d e t e r m i n a t i on of h is i n t e r e st or r i g h t, t he l e g a l i ty of t he t a k i ng of p o s s e s s i on or a c q u i s i t i on of t he p r o p e r t y, i n t e r e st or r i g ht a nd t he a m o u nt of a ny c o m p e n s a t i on to w h i ch he is e n t i t l e d; a nd ( b) t he p u r p o se of o b t a i n i ng p r o m pt p a y m e nt of t h at c o m p e n s a t i o n :" I am s a t i s f i ed t h e r e f o re t h at t he A p p l i c a nt h as an i n t e r e st in t he m o t or v e h i c le f o r m i ng t he s u b j e ct m a t t er of t h is a p p l i c a t i on a nd t h at he h as l o c us s t a n di f or c l a i m i ng t he r e l i ef s o u g ht by h i m. N or d o es he h a ve to be a b o na f i de p o s s e s s or as s u ch in t e r ms of S e c t i on 17 of t he C o n s t i t u t i on h is i n t e r e st s i m p ly a r i s i ng f r om t he u n c h a l l e n g ed f a ct t h at he b o u g ht t he m o t or v e h i c le in q u e s t i o n. 1 4 / . .. - 1 4- In t he r e s u lt t he a p p l i c a t i on is g r a n t ed w i th c o s ts a nd t he F i r st R e s p o n d e nt a n d / or o f f i c e rs s u b o r d i n a te to h im a re h e r e by d i r e c t ed to r e l e a se f o r t h w i th to A p p l i c a nt m o t or v e h i c le R e g i s t r a t i on n u m b e rs F 0 2 25 t o g e t h er w i th i ts r e g i s t r a t i on c e r t i f i c a t e. M . M. R a m o d i b e di J U D G E 9 th d ay of A u g u s t, 1 9 96 F OR A P P L I C A NT : M r. L. P h e ko F OR R E S P O N D E N T S: M r. T . S. P u t s o a ne