Lesotho’s government has collapsed, leaving PM Thomas Thabane without enough seats to continue ruling, speaker of parliament announced adding that Mr Thabane had to resign by 22 May.
The 80-year-old leader has been under intense pressure to resign for months after he and his latest wife were accused of murdering of his estranged wife, Dipolelo Thabane.
Dipolelo was shot severally outside her home in 2017, the night before Mr Thabane’s inauguration.
Mr Thabane and his current wife Maesaiah have both denied the allegations.
Many Lesotho citizens believe that Mr Thabane has spent the few months trying to lobby for immunity from prosecution for the murder case.
Mr Thabane All Basotho Convention’s spokesman, Montoeli Masoetsa, has stated that Mr Thabane will not be receiving any immunity from the law.
“Our stance is that like all citizens, he must stand trial and clear his name there,” he stated.
Mr Masoetsa said the prime minister and all his ministers are expected to resign in the coming days – and a new prime minister would be validly sworn very soon.
“There is officially no government in Lesotho and that needs to be addressed so as to ensure stability. We are working on making sure that happens,” he stated.
Dipolelo’s murder case is still pending before the courts.
