First lady of Lesotho wanted over murder of husband’s former wife

Authorities in Lesotho are searching for Maesaiah Thabane, the country’s first lady, in connection with the killing of her husband’s ex-wife, Lipolelo Thabane.

Mrs. Thabane is, so far, nowhere to be found even as police have intensified their search.

Following a court warrant on Friday for her arrest, police gave Mrs. Thabane until the end of Monday to surrender herself for questioning.

A search at the residence of her husband, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, yielded no sign of her whereabouts.

The BBC reports that the government is looking to allow the police to enlist the help of international partners in finding Mrs. Thabane.

Mr. Thabane’s ex-wife, Lipolelo, was shot and killed some two days before Mr. Thabane was sworn into office in June of 2017. The couple had been involved in a prolonged divorce after separating in 2012.

But the prime minister himself has been cited in investigations after police chief Holomo Molibeli noted that a mobile number belonging to Mr. Thabane was phoned from the site of his ex-wife’s murder.

A report by SABC News said Lesotho’s governing ABC party has also asked Mr. Thabane to resign over allegations that he was involved in the murder of his estranged wife.

The party has described him as a “threat to the nation.”