Lesotho Prime Minister appears in court, but not charged

Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane appeared in the Maseru Magistrates’ Court on Monday, but was not charged with any crime.
The prime minister was expected to face charges of murder, attempted murder and malicious damage to property after the fatal shooting of his second wife, Lipolelo Thabane, in 2017.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Hlalefang Motinyane, said there were “a lot of issues” to discuss with the police before charges could be laid.
Thabane’s lawyer, Qhalehang Letsika, said they had appeared in court because they wanted to prove that the prime minister was not trying to resist the courts.
There was widespread speculation on Friday that Thabane had fled the country after he failed to show up in court, citing a medical check-up in neighbouring South Africa.
Letsika applied for leave to file an application with the High Court to determine whether the constitution allows for a sitting prime minister to be charged.
His request was granted.
Deputy police commissioner Paseka Mokete confirmed on Friday that Thabane would face three charges.
dpa/NAN.