Free State Magistrate's Death Leads to Husband's Arrest in Lesotho

South African law enforcement made a chilling discovery on Saturday when they found the body of Free State Regional Court Magistrate, Mamello Thamae, in the vehicle of her husband, Lehlohonolo Maketoane, at a guesthouse in Lesotho. Maketoane has subsequently been arrested and is pending extradition to South Africa to likely face charges relating to murder and kidnapping.

The couple had been reported as missing, sparking a vigorous search effort. In an earlier report, police confirmed that Thamae returned home from work last Thursday, but a vehicle was seen departing their residence in the early hours of Friday morning. Law enforcement held strong beliefs that the vehicle, a silver Kia Sportage, had possibly crossed the border into Lesotho.

Once tracked to a guesthouse in Mokgotlong, Lesotho, police confronted Maketoane. Captain Loraine Earle, police spokesperson, stated that Maketoane, when questioned, revealed his wife's lifeless body in the boot of the car. According to Earle, Maketoane is currently awaiting extradition back to South Africa, where he will likely face the foreboding legal proceedings for murder and kidnapping allegations.

The gruesome discovery has sent shockwaves through the South African judiciary community. Thamae's colleagues and family are reportedly heartbroken over the tragic and unexpected loss of a respected court official due to an apparent act of intimate partner violence.