’Maesiah’s bail cancelled

RELEBOHILE TSOAMOTSE

MASERU – The Apex Court has cancelled Acting Chief Justice, ’Maseforo Mahase’s order to release murder accused former First Lady ’Maesaiah Thabane on bail.

This is after Justice Mahase’s decision to grant bail was challenged before the court of Appeal.

’Maesaiah is accused of conspiring to kill her husband’s second wife, Lipolelo Thabane, in June 2017. She appeared before the Magistrate Court on February 5 and was formally charged. Magaistrate Nthabiseng Moopisa remanded ’Maesaiah in custody but ACJ Mahase later ordered the release of ’Maesaiah (granted her bail).

There was controversy surrounding the manner at which the bail was granted as the Director of Public Prosecution was not given a chance to oppose the bail. Her bail deposit also bore a date of February 6 yet she was released the day before.

Aggrieved by the High Court’s decision, her husband’s grandson, Thomas Thabane Jnr, Lipolelo Thabane’s two nephews – Khauhelo Molapo and Thuto Mokhooane – as well as well as one Thato Sibolla who was with Lipolelo when she was assassinated, petitioned the Appeal Court to review the bail.

The Apex Court agreed with them and cancelled the order.

In cancelling Judge Mahase’s order, the judges ordered that the bail be remitted to the High Court before a different judge and that the High Court should enroll it urgently to be heard in an open court.

Deputy Commissioner of police and Head of Criminal Investigations, DCP Paseka Mokete told Public Eye in an interview that police are waiting for the court order so as to effect it.

“I am at the Appeal Court awaiting the order of the court so that we can effect it,” he said earlier today.