| Alleged murder case of extradited accused postponed to next week Thursday | |
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| Date Published | |
| 2026/01/29 | |
| Details | |
Media Statement LADYBRAND - The case of accused person, Paolos Patrick Lekhooane (41) has been postponed to next week Thursday by Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court for formal bail and Legal Aid applications. The case was attended by community members and is expected to be back in court again on 5 February 2026. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has officially extradited the 41-year-old suspect from the Kingdom of Lesotho in connection with the alleged murder of his girlfriend, the late Thatho Ratlalane-Noe (44) of Manyatseng near Ladybrand. The extradition was led by SAPS Pretoria Interpol, under the command of Warrant Officer William Matenche Tumedi, and supported by the Free State SAPS delegation led by Brigadier CJ Van Der Merwe (Serious and Violent Crime Unit) and Brigadier Du Preez (Legal Services). The operation was conducted in cooperation with Lesotho Interpol and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS). 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 take his own life by drinking poison. He was hospitalised in Lesotho and subsequently arrested by authorities. The official handover took place at the Maseru Bridge Port of Entry, under the supervision of the commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mofokeng. The extradition process was witnessed by officials, visitors, and members of the media from both South Africa and Lesotho. During the procedure, Lesotho Interpol formally transferred the suspect from an LMPS vehicle into the custody of Pretoria Interpol, and thereafter to the Ladybrand K9 Unit and Station. The suspect was received by Brigadier Van Der Merwe, who then handed him over to the investigating officer from the Ladybrand Detective Unit. Background: On 11 November 2024 at approximately 15:00, Ladybrand police responded to a complaint of murder at Manyatseng. Upon arrival, officers found a 12-year-old girl who directed them to the body of her mother lying in a bedroom with fatal stab wounds. A pair of scissors was found next to the deceased. A case of murder was opened for investigation, leading to the eventual tracing and arrest of the suspect in Lesotho.
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