Magistrate lauded as husband allegedly confesses to murder

Slain Free State magistrate Mamello Thamae has been lauded for her ‘outstanding’ work, while her husband has allegedly confessed to her murder. Thamae’s death sent shockwaves across the judiciary, with the SA Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges (SAC-IAWJ) condemning the country’s unrelenting scourge of gender-based violence, reports The Citizen. The organisation said Thamae’s work was outstanding. ‘She was a hardworking, dedicated, passionate and distinguished member of the judiciary committed to her professional duties as a regional magistrate and acting judge. She had a sterling disposition,’ SAC-IAWJ said in a statement. Her husband Lehlohonolo Makotoane allegedly confessed to Lesotho police following his arrest. Makotoane appeared at the Mokhotlong Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, according to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS). He was arrested after her body was found tied up and gagged in the boot of their Kia Sportage on Friday. The head of Mokhotlong detectives, Detective Inspector Limpho Pitso told the court that Makotoane confessed to killing Thamae, blaming his actions on their broken marriage. Pitso said the 41-year-old murder-accused said Thamae had filed for divorce after their marriage hit rock bottom. According to Pitso, the SAPS alerted LMPS of the missing couple. The vehicle tracker showed they had jumped the border via the Ficksburg border post. Local police traced the car to a guest house in Mokhotlong, a 230km drive from Ficksburg. ‘A woman was found wearing pyjamas and tied up in the boot. A piece of cloth was stuffed into her mouth, with a rope tied around her head and fastened on the mouth,’ Pitso was quoted as saying. It is not yet clear when Makotoane will be extradited back to SA. The LMPS statement says he remains in custody and is expected back in court this month.