Lesotho Prime Minister Announces Resignation Amidst Murder Charges

Prime Minister of Lesotho Thomas Thabane faces scrutiny for his involvement in the murder of his former wife, Lipolelo Thabane. (Flickr)

Basotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane announced on February 20 that he will resign no later than July 31. Thabane’s decision comes in the midst of potential legal perils as Lesotho police are set to charge him with the murder of his former wife, Lipolelo Thabane. She died on June 14, 2017, two days before Thabane’s inauguration. 

Thabane joins his current wife, Maesaiah Thabane, as a suspect in the murder of Lipolelo Thabane. The Maseru Magistrates’ Court charged the current first lady on February 5. She is currently out on bail, granted by acting Chief Justice Maseforo Mahase.

In addition to the prime minister and first lady, several others have been charged in the crime, including the suspected gunmen and others who have fled to South Africa and are still at large.

According to a senior police officer who requested anonymity, “The investigations are complete and the Prime Minister and others have been charged. It remains for the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] to say how far she has gone in finalizing and signing the actual charge sheet. The premier and other suspects will now get their day in the courts of law.”

In order to give the police more time to find the other assailants, the murder case has been postponed to March 17. Eight suspects accused of being involved in the murder are still on the loose. The police say they have a strong case against Thabane as an accessory to murder; they questioned him because his phone was used at the crime scene. 

Opposition leaders are using the charges to question the legitimacy of Thabane’s authority. Limpho Tau, leader of the Democratic Party of Lesotho, argues that the charges against the prime minister and first lady justify resignation.

The Democratic Congress Deputy Leader Motlalentoa Letsosa said, “We will demand an explanation from the prime minister [Thabane] about reports that his mobile phone was used to facilitate communication during the murder of Lipolelo.” 

In addition, Letsosa asked Thabane for an explanation of his wife’s bail and for his date of resignation.