Lesotho first lady charged with murdering husband’s ex-wife

Lesotho’s first lady, Maessaiah Thabane, has been charged with murdering the prime minister’s ex-wife in 2017. 

Ms Thabane is due to appear in court on Wednesday, having handed herself in to police on Tuesday. Her husband, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, has also been questioned.

The couple are being investigated in connection with the 2017 murder of Mr Thabane’s then-estranged wife, Lipolelo Thabane. 

The 58-year-old, who had been living apart from her husband since 2012, was killed just two days before Mr Thabane was sworn in as prime minister. 

At the time of her death, the attack was blamed on unknown armed men. However, new court documents filed by the country’s police commissioner now seem to implicate the prime minister. Mr Thabane is alleged to have placed a phone call to the scene of the crime shortly after the attack. 

At the time of Mrs Thabane’s death, the couple were undergoing a bitter divorce which was never finalised. 

There was also controversy at the time over Lipolelo’s status as first lady. Despite being separated from the prime minister, Lesotho’s High Court upheld her rights to government support and protection. Maesaiah was not allowed to take on the office of first lady until the divorce was finalised. 

Photo: AFP via Getty Images