Husband of ‘murdered’ FS magistrate to be extradited

By Staff Reporter

QWAQWA – The husband of Heilbron regional magistrate Mamello Thamae (40), who was arrested in Lesotho Mokhotlong after his wife’s lifeless body was found in the boot of a car by members of tje Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and Free State South Africa Police Service (SAPS ), is expected to be extradited to South Africa to answer possible charges of murder and kidnapping.

Lehlohonolo Maketoane (40) was arrested by FS SAPS and Lesotho police after his car registration number Kia Sportage HYT 809 FS was traced to a guest house in Mokhotlong.

During questioning Maketoane showed police his wife’s lifeless body in the boot of their vehicle.

He was arrested and will face charges of kidnapping and murder after his extradition.

Lesotho has an extradition agreement with South Africa approved by parliament in 2001 and entered into force in 2003.

It is alleged that Thamae arrived at her home in Heilbron on Thursday 21,2023 and in the morning of Friday 22, 2023, the above-mentioned car left the premises.

The clothes and cellphone of her husband were missing while the late magistrate’s cellphone and clothes were still at home.

Details of whether she was already dead when her husband allegedly crossed through Ficksburg border, or she was murdered on arrival in Mokhotlong at the guest house are not clear.

Police investigations continue.