LADYBRAND – Following his extradition from Lesotho to South Africa in connection with the alleged murder of a Ladybrand woman, suspect Patrick Lekhooane (41) briefly appeared in the Ladybrand Magistrates’ Court today – Thursday 29 January.
He is charged with the murder of his live-in lover, Thatho Ratlalane-Noe (44). According to the police, the woman was killed in November 2024.
WO Mmako Mophiring, spokesperson for the Free State police, said Lekhooane has been remanded in custody as part of the process to afford him the opportunity to apply for legal representation in South Africa, including bail application. The hearing for his bail application is set for Thursday 5 February in the same court.
Mophiring said Lekhooane’s extradition took place yesterday – Wednesday 28 January – and involved a delegation of the multi-disciplinary law enforcement agencies of the South African Police Services (SAPS), Lesotho Interpol, and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS). The SAPS delegation was led by WO William Matenche Tumedi of the SAPS Pretoria Interpol. The official handover of the suspect took place at the Maseru Bridge Port of Entry.
Lekhooane’s extradition came just over a year after fleeing to hide in his native country following the alleged murder of the woman.
“It is alleged that the suspect committed the murder during November 2024, after which he fled to Lesotho with the deceased’s vehicle. Reports further indicate that he allegedly set the vehicle alight and attempted to commit suicide by drinking poison. He was hospitalised in Lesotho and subsequently arrested by authorities,” said Mophiring.
Mophiring said the fugitive “killer” allegedly murdered the victim on 11 November 2024, at approximately 15:00.
“Officers who attended to a complaint found the victim with fatal stab wounds in the bedroom. A pair of scissors was found next to the deceased,” said Mophiring. He said the victim’s daughter, then a 12-year-old, directed the officers to the bedroom.
“An investigation into the murder of the woman led to the eventual tracing and arrest of the suspect in Lesotho,” said Mophiring. He said preliminary investigation revealed that Lekhooane was undocumented in South Africa at the time of committing the crime.
