Lesotho’s former Prime Minister murder trial date set
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By Itumeleng Koleile
Former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane today attended his pre-trial interview where he was formally served with charges made of four counts of murder of his estranged wife Lipolelo Thabane.
The former Premier was charged alongside his current wife and former first lady Maesaiah Thabane for the orchestrating the murder of Lipolelo on the eve of Thabane’s inauguration as Lesotho’s Prime Minister for a second term in 2017.
Today’s pre-trial follows an indictment from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions dated 29th October that served as a notice to Thabane that he will be tried for the murder of his wife.
Assistant Registrar, Advocate Tebello Mokhoema said the accused had to be available
in person for the pre-trial interview when they are served because “we will have the return (of service) showing that they were indeed served.”
Mokhoema said today was only about a preliminary step which prepares the case for
trial.
“Trial date has been set for the 8-10 March 2022. The rial will be presided over by Justice Molefi Makara,” said Mokhoema.
Thabane will be tried alongside his wife, ‘Maesaiah cited as the first accused, the late Famo gang leader Rethabile Chakela Mokete, Seabata Joseph Lieta, Macheli Koeshe and Molefi Matima Mokatja.
The six are charged with murder, attempted murder and malicious damage to property. They are accused of having murdered former premier’s wife on the 14th June 2017.
Moreover, they are charged with an attempted murder of Thato Sibolla and having damaged Lipolelo’s vehicle on the day she was murdered.
