I did not flee to South Africa - Lesotho PM Thomas Thabane

Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane's office has refuted claims that he fled to South Africa, adding that he only went there for a medical check-up.

According to information from his office, he respects the rule of law and plans to appear before the court when he returns from South Africa.

Thabane failed to appear in court to face charges of murdering his estranged wife in 2017 and it was reported that he absconded.

His current wife Maesaiah Thabane has already been charged with the murder.

According to the BBC, Mr Thabane would be the first African leader to be charged with a domestic murder while in office, in a case that has shocked the tiny mountain kingdom.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Paseka Mokete told reporters he was not aware of Mr Thabane's whereabouts but said that if he was out of the country receiving treatment then they would wait to resume the case when he returns.

"We cannot at this stage say he is contemptuous [of the court]," he added.

Mr Thabane's previous wife Lipolelo Thabane, 58, was shot dead in the capital, Maseru, two days before Mr Thabane became prime minister in 2017.

Mr Thabane married Maesaiah at a public ceremony in 2017 He said on state radio on Thursday that he had served the nation "diligently" and he would retire at the end of July.

"I've worked for a peaceful and stable Lesotho. Today... at my age, I have lost most of my energy," he was quoted as saying.

He did not mention the allegations against him.

The ruling All Basotho Convention had given him a deadline of Thursday to resign.

BBC