Husband admits to murder of magistrate wife amid ‘troubled marriage’

Makotoane appeared in court and admitted to killing Thamae, attributing his actions to their troubled marriage, The Citizen reported.

Detective Inspector Limpho Pitso, who leads the Mokhotlong detectives, reportedly told the court that during questioning, Makotoane admitted to the murder of Thamae, citing their troubled marriage as the cause for his actions.

Pitso said that the 41-year-old suspect confessed that Thamae had initiated divorce proceedings due to their deteriorating relationship.

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

The South African Police Service alerted Lesotho police after the couple went missing and crossed the border.

The car was traced to a guesthouse in Mokhotlong, where Thamae’s body was found tied up and gagged in the trunk.

Makotoane remains in custody and will appear in court next month, the report said.

Thamae’s death has shocked the judiciary, with the SAC-IAWJ condemning gender-based violence in the country and praising her dedication to her profession.