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Ex-Lesotho PM Linked to Murder for Hire Plot in Ex-Wife's Killing

VOA News

   A justfiled policeaffidavit revealed a murder for hire scheme, where
   Lesotho's former Prime Minister ThomasThabaneand his wife,
   Maesaiah,made adownpaymentof $24,000 to kill his estranged
   wifeLipolelothree years ago.

   The French News Press (AFP) said, Deputy Commissioner of
   PolicePasekaMoketesaid,ThabaneandMaesaiah"wanted the deceased dead so
   that (Maesaiah)could assume the position of First Lady."

   Thabanewas in a nasty divorce withLipolelowhen she was shot and killed
   outside her hometwodays before her husband's 2017 inauguration. Police
   say the initialattempt tokillLipolelofailed, butit'sunclear what
   happened.

   Thabaneresigned under pressure last month as leader of the tiny
   southern African country, amid allegationshewas impedingthe police
   investigation.

   Thabanedenies any involvement in themurder, butpolice say he physically
   pointed out his ex-wife's house to.Maesaiahbefore the ambush shooting.

   Maesaiah, who is charged with murder, is out on bail.One of her
   co-conspirators isreportedlyhelping prosecutors.The police commissioner
   said, the totalpayout forthe murder for hire was just over$179,000.

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