A Lesotho court on Tuesday confirmed the murder trial of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s wife will begin next month on March 17, reported Reuters.
“Your case is still under investigation and is still awaiting direction from the Attorney General with regard to your co-accused being charged. Your case will be heard next on 17 March 2020”, Magistrate, Thamae Thamae, said.
The 43-year old Maesaiah was arrested earlier this month on charges of ordering the killing of Prime Minister Thabane’s estranged wife Lipolelo. Lipolelo was gunned down in June 2017 near her home in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, two days before the premier was sworn into office in 2017.
Thabane and his then-wife were engaged in a bitter divorce when she was killed. Two months later, he assumed office and married 43-year old Maesaiah.
The investigating police allege that Maesaiah hired eight people to kill her but was not actually present at the shooting herself. She is also charged with the attempted murder of Thato Sibolla, who was in the same car with Lipolelo Thabane when she was shot near her home. Eight others are also reportedly facing charges over the murder.
The prime minister’s wife has denied any involvement in the killing. She appeared briefly in court on Tuesday before being driven to Lesotho’s plush state house. Notably, she cannot enter a plea until her trial starts.
The police also questioned 80-year-old Thabane over his estranged wife’s murder last month. The interrogation followed an investigation that linked his mobile number to communication records from the scene of the murder of his estranged wife.
The ruling All Basotho Convention party has been putting pressure on the 80-year-old prime minister to step down as the prime minister of Lesotho. Thabane has agreed to resign on grounds of his age but did not give a timeline for his resignation.
