Lesotho's murder-accused PM in court

Lesotho's embattled Prime Minister Thomas Thabane - who has been accused of murdering his estranged wife - has appeared in court in the capital Maseru.

The 80-year-old failed to show up on Friday to face charges of murdering Lipolelo Thabane, who was shot dead two days before his inauguration in 2017.

On Friday, his son and spokesman said he had gone to neighbouring South Africa for medical treatment.

Mr Thabane has not commented on the case but said at his inauguration that his estranged wife's killing was "senseless".

He was accompanied to court by his current wife Maesaiah Thabane, 42, who was charged earlier with the murder of Lipolelo and is out on bail.

A local journalist has tweeted a photo of the couple in court:

Mr Thabane married the current first lady at a Catholic ceremony in Maseru two months after Lipolelo's death

Lesotho's PM Thomas Thabane is before court this morning following failure ro show up on Friday#surprise pic.twitter.com/nPNNiKoaWq

— Marafaele (@Marafaele2) February 24, 2020