Lipolelo was shot dead in June 2017, two days before Thabane's inauguration. The couple had been living separately since 2012 and were going through a prolonged divorce.

Two months later Thabane married Maesaiah, who is also charged with Lipolelo's murder and is due to appear in court on March 17, having been granted bail.

Maesaiah Thabane is also charged with the attempted murder of Thato Sibolla, who survived the shooting which killed Lipolelo.

The prime minister's grandson Thomas Thabane Jr, his nephews Khauhelo Molapo and Thuto Makhooane, as well as Sibolla, have filed an application in the court of appeal for an order to set aside the decision to grant Maesaiah bail, saying it was not procedurally done.

Thabane will also face an attempted murder charge in connection with Sibolla's shooting, reports said.

In January police commissioner chief Holomo Molibeli alleged in a letter that cell phone records revealed Thabane received a telephone call from someone at the crime scene.

African News Agency (ANA)