lesotho

Prime Minister of Lesotho, Thomas Motsoahae Thabane looks on during the closing ceremony of the 37th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government at The OR Tambo Building in Pretoria on August 20, 2017. (Photo by GULSHAN KHAN / AFP)

Lesotho’s Thabane inches closer to ‘dignified retirement’

Embattled Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane looks to be on his way out of office.

lesotho

Prime Minister of Lesotho, Thomas Motsoahae Thabane looks on during the closing ceremony of the 37th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government at The OR Tambo Building in Pretoria on August 20, 2017. (Photo by GULSHAN KHAN / AFP)

Lesotho Parliament has made a crucial step towards resolving a political crisis that has engulfed the country for months after meeting with a South African delegation on Saturday, SABC reports.

Lesotho moves closer to ousting Thomas Thabane

The mountain Kingdom, nestled in the heart of South Africa has been divided over the fate of embattled Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, who is accused of having a hand in the 2017 murder of his first wife.

The delegation, led by former SA cabinet minister Jeff Radebe, says a process is in place to see to it that Thabane steps down from office.

“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,” a joint statement said.

Pressure mounts on embattled Lesotho Prime Minister

Thabane’s first wife Lipolelo was shot dead in June 2017, while the couple was in the process of finalising a divorce.

In 2020, his current wife, Maesaiah was charged with the murder, with the 80-year-old also fingered as a suspect.

Both have denied any involvement in the gruesome crime.

With the allegations hanging over his head, Thabane is facing mounting pressure to resign from office, and has previously promised to resign in July.

Radebe indicated that Lesotho’s Parliament is waiting for King Letsie III to sign off legislation that will see Thabane forced out soon.

“We are satisfied that when the king has assented to this bill. It will pave the way for the Prime Minister to indicate his intention to vacate the office,” he told journalists.

“As soon as His Majesty has assented to this bill, the prime minister will indicate his intention to leave the office,” he added.

Jeff Radebe

Thabane is in his second stint as Prime Minister, having previously held office between 2012 and 2015.

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