MASERU – The High Court is yet to determine whether or not Prime Minister Motsoahae Thabane could be charged alongside his current wife ’Maesaiah for the murder of his estranged wife, Lipolelo.
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Feb. 24, 2020
KABELO MASOABI
2 min read
Thabane’s lawyer challenges his indictment
Prime Minister Motsoahae Thabane
Thabane appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on Monday where he was however not charged for the murder or the attempted murder of Lipolelo’s friend, Thato Sibolla.
Lipolelo was gunned down at the gate of her Ha ’Masana residence on the outskirts of Maseru on June 14, 2017, two days before Thabane’s inauguration.
Sibolla escaped the attack with serious gunshot wounds
’Maesaiah has already been released by the High Court on a M1000 bail for the murder.
Thabane was supposed to have appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court last Friday.
But he failed to make an appearance after he was allegedly rushed to South Africa for an urgent medical check-up before then.
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Before Magistrate Phethisi Motanyane decided to remit the application to the High Court, Thabane’s lawyer Attorney Qhalehang Letsika had asked what the law said about criminally charging a sitting prime minister.
But for its part, the Crown represented by Advocate Mpati Motšoane showed it was not ready to proceed with the matter.
Advocate Motšoane said a directive from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) showed there were pending issues that needed to be dealt with before the prime minister could be remanded.
“The directive said the prime minister should not be remanded yet because there would be some implications. There are things that the DPPR needs to discuss with the commissioner of police first.
“Thereafter the suspect can then appear before court. The understanding is that the suspect is not an ordinary Mosotho citizen by virtue of his position,” Adv Motšoane said.
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