Lesotho gripped as first lady faces trial for predecessor’s murder
ONE prime minister, two wives and a murder: for the people of Lesotho, the year 2020 started like a crime novel.
The first lady, 42-year-old Maesaiah Thabane, fled to South Africa as police issued an arrest warrant for her over the murder of her predecessor. Her husband, Thomas Thabane, agreed to step down after police found evidence they claim links him to the murder.
Mrs Thabane’s murder trial is set to begin on February 18. She is suspected of ordering the killing of her husband’s second wife, Lipolelo, in 2017. Lipolelo, then 58, was shot dead outside her house. Two days later, her estranged husband and prime minister was inaugurated for a second term in office in the small southern African kingdom. At his side, Maesaiah stood out from the crowds in a bright yellow dress.
Two months later, the couple were married at the packed Setsoto stadium in the capital Maseru.
Police now fear she could escape the country again after being released on bail last week. Her lawyer said she would travel to South Africa for a medical examination ahead of the trial. In court documents released on Thursday, the deputy police commissioner said Mrs Thabane is a “very dangerous person who is capable of recruiting assassins to kill [an] innocent person for her own benefit”.
“She is a flight risk as she fled the country when she was called to the police for questioning,” Paseka Mokete said in his court statement. In early January, she disappeared for a few weeks after being called in for questioning, and was believed to be in South Africa, which completely surrounds Lesotho. She eventually returned and handed herself in.
Mrs Thabane denies all charges brought against her. Eight other people were charged with the murder.
The case has made the cover of newspapers at home and abroad and
‘She is a very dangerous person who is capable of recruiting assassins to kill for her own benefit’
sparked hundreds to take to the streets in the country of two million.
The prime minister has also been implicated in the case. After months of investigation, the country’s police chief revealed that a phone call was made from Mr Thabane’s phone number to a mobile phone at the crime scene “at the time of the assassination.”
He and Lipolelo had been separated for years and were going through bitter divorce proceedings at the time of the killing. His estranged wife had taken him to court in order to retain the benefits of being a first lady.
“The Lesotho Mounted Police Service hereby kindly requests your explanation,” chief Holomo Molibeli said in the letter addressed to Mr Thabane. He was questioned by police, but no further action was taken. He has not commented on the case publicly.
In late January, the 80-year-old leader announced he would step down from his role amid rising public pressure, citing “waning stamina”.