Lesotho’s ex-first lady arrested in murder case

ANKARA (AA) – Lesotho's former first lady Maesaiah Thabane was arrested on Wednesday over the killing of the ex-wife of her husband, local media reported.

The arrest took place after Lesotho's Appeal Court revoked her bail, The Times reported.

Lipolelo Thabane, 58 was gunned down on the outskirts of the capital Maseru in 2017 two days before Thomas Thabane took office as prime minister.

Thomas and Lipolelo Thabane had separated in 2012 and their divorce proceedings were ongoing when she was murdered.

Months after her death, the former prime minister married Maesaiah Thabane, 42.

Maesaisah Thabane appeared in court in February and was formally charged in the murder.

She was also charged with the attempted murder of Thato Sibolla, a friend who was with Lipolelo Thabane at the time of the shooting and survived the attack.

Prosecutors also accuse the former prime minister of colluding with his wife in the murder.

Thomas Thabane stepped down last month amid mounting pressure.