Cape Town – The body of Magistrate Mamello Thamae was found in her husband’s car boot after the couple was reported missing from their home in Heilbron, Free State.
Lehlohonolo Maketoane, her 40-year-old husband, was apprehended in nearby Lesotho when the vehicle was located at a guesthouse in Mokgotlong.
“The Lesotho Mounted police questioned the husband who showed them the lifeless body of the wife which was in the boot of the vehicle.
“He was detained in Lesotho awaiting extradition back into South Africa to face possible charges of kidnapping and murder,” police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said.
FS SAPS&Lesotho Mounted Police have arrested the husband of missing Heilbron Regional Court Magistrate Mamello Thamae. Thamae disappeared from her home in SA on Thursday.Her husband was arrested in Lesotho&her lifeless body found in the boot of their vehicle.Extradition underway pic.twitter.com/CAbYcuihnP
— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) September 23, 2023
Earlier, Earle said it was alleged that Thamae returned home on September 21st, and their car was observed leaving their residence around 4:00 AM the following morning.
Immediately after their disappearance was reported, and a search operation was initiated.
Earle further said that Thamae’s clothes and cellphone were found in their home, and they were believed to have departed in a silver Kia Sportage.
There was strong suspicion that the vehicle had crossed into Lesotho through the Ficksburg port of entry. Additionally, her husband’s cellphone and clothing were also missing.
The couple’s vehicle was eventually located at a guesthouse in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, where the Lesotho Mounted Police Service interrogated the husband.
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Picture: Twitter/@AthlendaM
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
