LADYBRAND – There is a light at the end of the tunnel regarding the murder of a Ladybrand woman, Thatho Ratlalane-Noe (44), following the extradition of the murder suspect from Lesotho to South Africa. The suspect, Paolos Patrick Lekhooane (41), is set to reappear in the Ladybrand Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 6 February for bail application.
He appeared briefly on Thursday 29 January following his arrest. Lekhooane is charged with the murder of his live-in lover. According to the police, he is the prime suspect in the murder of the woman in November 2024.
WO Mmako Mophiring, spokesperson for the Free State police, said Lekhooane had been remanded in custody as part of the process to afford him the opportunity to apply for legal representation in South Africa, as well as to bring a bail application.
Mophiring said Lekhooane’s extradition took place on Wednesday 28 January, and involved multidisciplinary law enforcement agencies: the SAPS, the Lesotho International Criminal Police Organization (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 approximately two months after fleeing to his native country following the alleged murder.
“It is alleged that the suspect committed the murder in November 2024, after which he fled to Lesotho with the deceased’s vehicle,” said Mophiring.
“Reports further indicate that he allegedly set the vehicle alight and attempted to take his own life, by drinking poison. He was hospitalised in Lesotho and subsequently arrested by authorities.”
The suspect 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,” confirmed Mophiring.
He said the victim’s daughter, then 12 years 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.”
Mophiring said a preliminary investigation revealed that Lekhooane had been undocumented in South Africa at the time of committing the crime.
■ Meanwhile, the prolonged and high-profile case of slain magistrate Mamello Thamae is yet to be finalised, as the wheels of justice grind slowly. More than two years have elapsed since the arrest of the prime suspect.
The deceased’s husband, Lehlohonolo Makotoane, is remanded in custody after he was apprehended on prima facie evidence linking him to the murder.
Makotoane faces charges of premeditated murder, defeating the administration of justice, kidnapping, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
He was arrested in Lesotho on 22 September 2023, following a full-scale search by police forces in both South Africa and Lesotho.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the case include the LMPS, Interpol and the SAPS.
Makotoane was arrested in Lesotho after Thamae’s body had been discovered in the boot of their car, the police confirmed.
He first appeared in the Mokhotlong Magistrates’ Court in Lesotho on 26 September 2023, and was extradited to South Africa on 21 August last year to stand trial regarding the murder of his spouse.
The case has been transferred from the Heilbron Magistrates’ Court to the Free State High Court.
In August 2025, the matter was transferred to the High Court for pre-trial proceedings.
While Makotoane remains in custody, the exact High Court trial date is still being finalised as of early 2026.
