Ambush, two wives of a prime minister and a phone call: the murder that shakes the little kingdom

In 2017, she was shot to death at the door of her home to Lippalo Thabana, the divorcee of Prime Minister Lesotho. At first they thought it was an armed robbery, but new documents incriminated the new first lady, and possibly even the prime minister himself. She extradited herself to the police and charged with murder

Ambush, two wives of a prime minister and a phone call: the murder that shakes the little kingdom

Prime Minister Lesotho's wife is accused of murdering his ex-wife, the authority said Tuesday. First lady Messia Thabana extradited herself to the police in the South African kingdom, when the prime minister - Thomas Thabana - was also questioned as part of his ex-wife's murder investigation, Lippalo Thabana. She was shot to death outside her home in the capital two days before taking office in 2017, while the couple, who have lived separately since 2012, have been involved in a difficult divorce process.

Initially, suspected unidentified gunmen had murdered her, however, documents recently submitted to the court by police chief Holomo Molively raised new questions. The 42-year-old first lady disappeared following the arrest warrant issued against her on January 10, but she was "picked up from the border" with South Africa after a settlement between her lawyers and police. She is scheduled to appear in court today.

Announced the resignation. PM (center) and first lady (Photo: AFP)

Lotsu Prime Minister Tom Thabana and his wife during his June 16 2017 office (Photo: AFP, official website)

The police chief said police would oppose her release on bail, fearing she would flee the kingdom. Her lawyer told the BBC that he could not comment on the investigation, which involved eight more defendants from Jesse and South Africa.

The prime minister agreed to resign, but he did not specify a specific date, while the opposition protested throughout the capital against him. However, Thabna describes his decision to leave the post as a retirement, without reference to allegations against him and his wife. The ruling party, and the opposition, have blamed the prime minister for disrupting the investigation.

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Lippello was murdered when she returned to her home one evening, and encountered an ambush. She was shot several times at close range and died on the side of the road. Her murder shocked the small kingdom, and her husband described it as "useless murder" in his inaugural speech. At the end of last year, there was a turnaround in the investigation, with new evidence, including a letter sent by the police chief to the prime minister.

"The investigation revealed that there was a phone call between someone in the ring and someone else. His number belongs to you," the December 23, 2019 letter said.