This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
Lesotho's High Court has granted bail to Maesaiah Thabane, the ex-wife of former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, in a murder case related to the 2017 slaying of his wife, Lipolelo Thabane.
Maesaiah Thabane, 43, was initially charged in February 2020 after police questioned her over the murder, which occurred two days before Thomas Thabane's inauguration.
She was freed on bail of 1,000 maloti ($57 / 50 euros) in February, but the decision was later revoked, and she was returned to jail on June 3, 2020.
On Monday, High Court judge Thamsanqa approved bail for Maesaiah Thabane, ordering her to pay a bond of 10,000 maloti.
Maesaiah Thabane has been charged with orchestrating the shooting of Lipolelo Thabane, who was brutally gunned down outside her home in Maseru, Lesotho.
Police have also charged her with the attempted murder of Lipolelo Thabane's friend, Thato Sibolla, who was wounded during the attack.
Thomas Thabane, now 81, had been embroiled in bitter divorce proceedings with Lipolelo when she was killed.
Both Thomas Thabane and his current wife, whom he married two months after Lipolelo's death, have denied any involvement in the murder.
