Friday, March 29, 2024

Inauguration of Lesotho’s new Prime Minister to go ahead despite killing of his wife

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President Edgar Lungu (L) with Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe (R)before departure to Lesotho at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday,20-04-2017.Picture by Josephine Nsululu/Zanis.
President Edgar Lungu (L) with Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe (R)before departure to Lesotho at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday,20-04-2017.Picture by Josephine Nsululu/Zanis.

The inauguration of Lesotho’s new Prime Minister Tom Thabane will go ahead despite the shooting and killing of his wife Lipolelo Thabane in yesterday’s attack in Maseru, the capital city.

And President Lungu has arrived in Maseru, Lesotho for tomorrow’s inauguration ceremony of that country’s new Prime Minister Tom Thabane.

President Lungu who is accompanied by his Political Advisor Kaizer Zulu and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Christopher Mvunga arrived at Moshoeshoe International Airport at about 17:05 hours.

ZANIS reports that the Zambian Head of State was received at the Airport by Lesotho’s Chief of State Protocol Ambassador Humphrey Leteka, Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba and other senior government officials.

The Lesotho Defence Force mounted a guard of honour at the airport for President Lungu who will be among regional leaders to attend the inauguration which will be held at the National Stadium within the city.

And Lesotho’s Chief of State Protocol Ambassador Humphrey Leteka said his country is honoured to have President Lungu attend the inauguration of their Prime Minister.

Ambassador Leteka said other leaders from neighbouring countries including diplomats accredited to Lesotho are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony.

He said the people of Lesotho are excited ahead of the inauguration as their leader of choice will be ushered into office and form government.

“First and foremost let me say that we have been honoured as a country by the presence of the President of Zambia, His Excellency President Lungu. I can confirm that so far he is one of the substantive President who has confirmed and arrived for the inauguration of our Prime Minister. Other than that we have the Deputy President of South Africa who will represent the President of South Africa Mr. Zuma and the Prime Minister of Swaziland who will represent his majesty King Mswati,”said Ambassador Leketa.

But when asked whether the ceremony would not be affected by the killing of the Prime Minister’s Wife who was shot dead last evening, Ambassador Leteka refused to comment saying the government spokesperson will issue a statement.

The estranged wife of Prime Minister-elect Tom Thabane was one of two women shot in what seems like a random shooting in Maseru city last evening.

Ambassador Leteka said the inauguration will be held as scheduled saying the former Prime Minister will be present at the national stadium to hand over the national flag at the public ceremony.

He said the King will be present at the ceremony and is expected to inspect the guard of honour and witness the spectacular exchange of the instruments of power to be followed by a reception at state house for the invited guests.

Ambassador Leteka said the inauguration is a short but symbolic ceremony which people of Lesotho are looking forward to tomorrow.

The city of Maseru which is the country’s capital and the largest city in Lesotho is calm and business seems to be going on as usual despite the killing of the first lady.

22 COMMENTS

    • That’s unZambian to go celebrate such unclean president. A woman killed to prevent her from becoming first lady?? That Lesotho sounds like PF, for real PF can do anything.

    • If you read the whole article, it is saying she is an estranged wife, meaning they were no longer together, hence the guy has every right to be sworn in

    • estranged does not mean divorced. They are married but because this new prime minister maybe loves sleeping with other women, the wife is not happy and leave the home nechifukushi. Fact is she is still the wife.
      Problem Lesotho just like Swaziland treat women like trash.

    • Just Plain weird ….. I know the typical Zambian will say it is not Christian … so how come your president from “the Christian” Nation is going for a celebratory event when the main Character of the event has a very close Bereavement … didn’t this man even have Children (who are in mourning) with this woman?? 🙁

  1. You UPNDonkeys dont you know what ‘estranged wife’ means ? Its like Sylvia Masebo and her estranged husband who is now bonking an army general !

  2. Lazy Lungu just had to get on a plane…really laughable ..even Lesotho’s biggest neighbour RSA sent the Veep, even King Mswati sent a minister but Lazy Bum Edgar has to get airmiles!!

  3. A true African leader indèed!!! The show must go on, dead wife or not. Lol..
    Must be worried if ascension to power is not confirmed ASAP something could come up.
    Worry about the funeral later. Monkey!

  4. @salosi,use s dictionary. Don’t show your illiteracy to us. Very dull chap. There just not living together but still legally marriaged. Someone didn’t want her to be first lady. In a normal situation the ceremony would have been cancelled or guests would have cancelled their trips

  5. So sad that occurrence ….but in Zambia i’d love to see the shootdown and killing of misrule and bad ideas emanating from this PF gov’t.

  6. That’s African leaders how don’t care. They are interested in riches. For the first time Mushota is sad! Then this is really bad!

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