He says prior to the June 2017 snap elections, which ushered in Mr Thabane back to power, the ex-premier and 'Maesaiah held a meeting with Chakela and the crown witness, Sello (popularly known as Lehlanya) in Ficksburg, South Africa.

'Maesaiah, Mr Thabane, Chakela, Seabata Sello, Macheli Koeshe and Molefi Matima are the first to sixth suspects respectively in the Lipolelo murder.

"Before the 3 June 2017 elections, the petitioner ('Maesaiah) and the second suspect (Mr Thabane) met with the third suspect (Mr Mokete) and a crown witness (Lehlanya) at the residence they (Thabane and wife) shared in Ficksburg, South Africa," DCP Mokete states in his affidavit.

DCP Mokete states that Chakela and Lehlanya were further informed that Mr Thabane's divorce from Lipolelo had not been finalised and that the latter would thus assume the position of first lady of Lesotho after Mr Thabane's expected win on 3 June 2019 and inauguration as prime minister.

"The petitioner ('Maesaiah) and second suspect (Mr Thabane) wanted the deceased dead so that the petitioner could assume the position of first lady.