Lesotho’s Prime Minister Thomas Thabane will be charged with the murder of his estranged wife Lipolelo Thabane, the police have confirmed, reported Reuters.
Lipolelo was shot dead in June 2017 near her home in the capital, Maseru, two days before Mr. Thabane became prime minister. His current wife Maesaiah Thabane has already been charged with the murder.
Police allege Maesaiah hired eight assassins to kill her but was not present at the shooting. She is currently out on bail and will next appear in court on March 17.
Deputy Commissioner of Lesotho Police Paseka Mokete said the prime minister will be made to appear at the Maseru Magistrates Court on Friday “to face a murder charge in connection with the killing of Lipolelo Thabane.”
Mokete said the 80-year-old prime minister will also face an attempted murder charge in connection with the shooting of another person who was with his wife at the time of the incident. He said police investigations were complete and more people will be charged in connection with murder soon.
Both Thomas and Maesaiah, who married two months after Lipolelo’s killing, have denied any involvement in her death.
Thabane is the first sitting prime minister of Lesotho to be charged with any crime.
Meanwhile, the 80-year-old leader took to the radio to announce he would step down at the end of July but chose not to mention the murder case. He cited old age as a reason for quitting.
“I have served my country diligently,” Thabane said. “I’ve worked for a peaceful and stable Lesotho. Today … at my age, I have lost most of my energy … I hereby retire as prime minister with effect from the end of July.”
The announcement was made after Lesotho’s ruling party the All Basotho Convention had given him a deadline of Thursday to resign saying he cannot stay in office with the murder charge hanging over his head.
