A man who absconded while on bail after allegedly murdering one of Lesotho’s most industrious young businessmen has been extradited to face justice.
Sello Mabothile (45) of Teyateyaneng Ha-Ntjabane was handed over to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service by South African authorities at the Maseru Bridge on Thursday. Following his return, Chief Magistrate Matankiso Nthunya ordered that he be remanded in custody while awaiting trial.
For the past five years, Mabothile has been wanted in connection with a 2020 murder case. He is accused of killing a prominent Berea businessman who was widely respected for employing hundreds of Basotho. The killing was allegedly motivated by suspicions that the victim had a romantic relationship with Mabothile’s wife, an accusation that intensified the seriousness of the charges.
In addition to the murder charge, Mabothile is facing allegations of fraud, theft and money laundering amounting to M50 million. The case stems from a 2022 scheme in which he is said to have acted in concert with 28-year-old Karabelo Makara of Butha-Buthe and their associate Lehlohonolo Selate.
Selate is accused of creating and registering multiple South African shell companies that were allegedly used as conduits for illicit activities. He and Makara, along with eight other accused persons, were charged in October 2021. Mabothile’s extradition now brings the possibility of consolidating the criminal cases.
He is scheduled to reappear before Chief Magistrate Nthunya on September 11 to answer to the charges of fraud, theft and money laundering alongside Selate and Makara.
Murder-Accused Fugitive Extradited to Lesotho
