We’ve strong case against Lesotho first lady – police
’Maesaiah Thabane kept in police cells until court date
Lesotho’s fugitive first lady ’Maesaiah Thabane will remain in police cells until she appears in court once her charges have been formulated.
’Maesaiah handed herself over to the police yesterday after weeks of being on the run.
She arrived in Maseru from SA and headed to police headquarters to answer questions relating to investigations into the murder of prime minister Tom Thabane’s late wife Lipolelo.
She did not appear in court but police said they have a strong case against her and eight others. Police intend to charge her with murder and attempted murder.
“We have a strong case against her and eight others who are in Lesotho and South Africa and we have every reason to keep her,” said deputy police commissioner Paseka Mokete.
“She was read out her charges and her rights like anyone else who is a suspect.”
Three weeks ago ’Maesaiah went into hiding in Ficksburg, Free State. She fled Lesotho after police had summoned her for questioning for the murder of Lipolelo who was gunned down by unknown assailants in 2017, just two days before the inauguration of Thabane.
She arrived yesterday morning accompanied by her lawyer, and hours later she was whisked away to the Maseru Central charge office where she spent some time inside.
Police had obtained a warrant for her arrest three weeks ago from the Maseru magistrate’s court and subsequently declared her a wanted person on January 15.
Police spokesperson Supt Mpiti Mopeli said ’Maesaiah had come back to the country upon arrangement between the two parties.
“The first lady brokered talks with the police over the weekend and it was agreed that she should come for the initial questioning which she had fled away from,” Mopeli said.