Lesotho First Lady in dock

Maseru, (New Ziana) – Lesotho First Lady Maesaiah Thabane has appeared in court, accused of murdering her husband’s estranged wife, Lipolelo Thabane, in 2017.

She surrendered to police on Tuesday, ending a month on the run after law enforcement officers indicated they wanted to interview her in connection with the murder.

Lipolela, who was going through a nasty divorce from Prime Minister Thomas Thabane at the time of her death, was gunned down outside her home near the capital Maseru in 2017.

The murder, suspected to have also involved hired assassins, stirred a public uproar in Lesotho after indications of Maisaiah’s participation in the killing.

She married premier Thabane shortly after the brutal murder of Lipolelo.
Eight other people, some still on the run, are also being accused of the murder, but in court papers Maesaiah is charged of personally pulling the gun.

She has not pleaded, and has been released on bail.

The murder has forced the premier to announce plans to step down, but he has not indicated when he will quit.
New Ziana