The much-anticipated extradition processes of a Free State resident accused of killing his magistrate wife are at an advanced stage.

Mamello Thamae (40) was a magistrate at the Heilbron Regional Court. Her husband, Lehlohonolo Makotoane (40), is currently in detention in Lesotho for her alleged murder and kidnapping.

The Director of Public Prosecution Advocate Navilla Somaru said documents relating to the matter have been delivered this week to help speed up the extradition. Somaru said the state is bound by instructions and timelines and they have to act within those instructions.

Head of Free State Director of Public Prosecution Advocate Navilla Somaru. 

"We want to assure the community the matter is receiving our serious attention and we are working very well to achieve (good results). ” She said this at a media briefing regarding the assets which were handed over to Lesotho's Treasury.

Thamae’s body was discovered with the help of her husband and in a twist of events he was later arrested by the police and detained in Lesotho.

It is alleged on Thursday (21/9), Thamae arrived at her home in Heilbron. At about 04:00 the following morning her car left the premises. Police spokesperson Loraine Earle said the cell phone and clothes of her husband also appeared to be missing. Her clothes and cell phone were still at home and there is a strong suspicion that the vehicle drove through the Ficksburg port of entry into Lesotho. When finally brought back to the country the suspect will appear in the Heilbron Magistrate's Court to face the said charges.

The cross-border crime between South Africa and Lesotho has previously come under the spotlight. This as several Lesotho nationals ended up on the wrong side of the country’s law for various serious crimes, including robbery and murder. At the receiving end of this heinous crime, it was mostly innocent civilians and police officials.

In 2020, an illegal Lesotho immigrant, Ramolete Masiu, accused of killing a Free State Hawks official, Captain Qeya Jonas Tshabalala (52), was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Judge Joseph Mhlambi found him guilty in the Bloemfontein High Court of robbery with aggravating circumstances and murder.

Former Free State NPA spokesperson Phaladi Shuping exits Free State High Court premises.

In April 2023, the North West police arrested a suspect for the possession of 14 hand grenades in Khuma, near Stilfontein. The illegal immigrant was arrested on Saturday (22/4) for contravening the Explosive and Immigration Acts respectively.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane      Daphné/ Corné