ALLEGED MURDER: Lesotho PM to get ‘dignified’ exit from power

Scandal-hit Prime Minister of Lesotho, Thomas Thabane who is accused of murdering his estranged wife has been offered a ‘dignified’ exit from power as he has been ordered to resign immediately.

Reports say the deal brokered with the help of South African mediators is said to promise the prime minister a “dignified and secure” exit from office but it is not clear if Thabane will agree to stand down immediately, as the deal stipulates.

A joint statement, signed by South African mediator Jeff Radebe and Lesotho Deputy Prime Minister Monyane Moleleki said: “The coalition government of the Kingdom of Lesotho commits to effecting the implementation process or modalities for the dignified, graceful and secure retirement of the right honourable prime minister.”

READ ALSO: Lesotho first lady to be arraigned in court over killing of prime minister’s ex-wife

Mr Radebe later told journalists on Monday that although Mr Thabane had pledged to step down in July, the timeline stipulated in the deal was “immediate”.

“There are one or two issues that need to be traversed in order to ensure that all political parties are of the same mind in terms of speeding up that parliamentary process,” he added.

Mr Thabane’s spokesman Relebohile Moyeye told Reuters news agency that he “can’t confirm if the PM agrees with all that’s in the communiqué… I will only know his take tomorrow”.

Gunmen shot and killed Mr Thabane’s then-wife Lipolelo Thabane on 14 June 2017. Officials charged Mr Thabane’s current wife Maesaiah with the murder this year, and also named Mr Thabane as a suspect.

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