Lesotho’s first lady charged with murder of PM’s former wife

The first lady of Lesotho, Maesaiah Thabane is to be charged with murder in connection with the 2017 killing of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s former wife, Lipolelo.

Maesaiah Thabane, who fled the country on January 10 to escape arrest, returned Lesotho kingdom on Tuesday afternoon and handed herself to police in the capital, Maseru. Police said she had been hiding in neighbouring South Africa.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mokete Paseka, said Maesaiah Thabane will be remanded custody and will be taken to court after the director of public prosecutions prepares the charge sheet.

“She has been charged with murder alongside eight others who are in Lesotho and South Africa,” Paseka said.
An arrest warrant for the first lady was issued by police following the murder of 58-year-old Lipolelo Thabane, former wife of Lesotho Prime Minister.

Maesaiah Thabane was killed two days before Thomas Thabane’s inauguration for a second term in 2017, and two years after a court ruled that Lipolelo was the lawful first lady and entitled to benefits.

Thomas Thabane, 80, married his current wife, Maesaiah, two months after Lipolelo’s death.