Mamello Thamae was a regional court magistrate and an acting judge in the Free State province of South Africa. She was known for her hard work, dedication, and passion for the judiciary. She had a bright future ahead of her, but her life was cut short in a horrific manner.
Her body was found in the boot of her car in Lesotho, where her husband had allegedly fled after killing her.
Know About Mamello Thamae’s Biography
Mamello Thamae was born in 1983 in Lesotho, a small landlocked country surrounded by South Africa. She grew up in a family of six siblings and attended primary and secondary schools in Lesotho. She was a bright student who excelled in mathematics and science. She had a dream of becoming a lawyer since she was young.
She pursued her tertiary education at the National University of Lesotho (NUL), where she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Information Technology in 2005. She then moved to South Africa to study law at the University of South Africa (UNISA), where she graduated with an LLB degree in 2010. She also completed a postgraduate diploma in labour law at UNISA in 2012.
Her Profession As a Magistrate
Mamello Thamae started her career as a prosecutor at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court in 2011. She worked there for two years before being appointed as a regional court magistrate in Heilbron in 2013. She was one of the youngest magistrates in the country at the time. She presided over various criminal cases, including rape, murder, robbery, fraud, and corruption.
She was also an acting judge at the Free State High Court from 2018 to 2019. She handled civil and criminal matters at the high court level. She was praised for her competence, integrity, and impartiality by her colleagues and peers. She was a member of the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges (SAC-IAWJ), which described her as a “hardworking, dedicated, passionate and distinguished member of the judiciary”.
She had a sterling reputation and a promising career ahead of her. She was reportedly being considered for a permanent appointment as a judge at the Free State High Court. She had also applied for a position as a judge at the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Wiki
| Name | Mamello Thamae |
| Date of Birth | 1983 |
| Age | 40 years |
| Place of Birth | Lesotho |
| Date of Death | 22 September 2023 |
| Place of Death | Lesotho |
| Cause of Death | Homicide |
| Education | B.Com. IT (NUL), LLB (UNISA), PGDip (UNISA) |
| Occupation | Regional Court Magistrate, Acting Judge |
| Husband | Lehlohonolo Maketoane |
| Children | Two (one son, one daughter) |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
Husband, Death, Missing Body
Mamello Thamae was married to Lehlohonolo Maketoane, a businessman and former police officer. They had two children together, a son and a daughter. They lived in Heilbron, a small town in the northern part of the Free State province.
According to some sources, their marriage was troubled and they had frequent arguments. Maketoane was allegedly abusive and controlling towards Thamae. He was also reportedly involved in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and money laundering. He had been arrested several times for various offenses, including assault, theft, fraud, and possession of unlicensed firearms.
Thamae had filed for divorce from Maketoane in 2019, but he refused to sign the papers. He also allegedly threatened to kill her if she left him. He was said to be jealous and possessive of her career and achievements.
Disappearance and Death
On 21 September 2023, Mamello Thamae returned home from work around 6 pm. She had dinner with her family and went to bed around 10 p.m. The next morning, around 4 a.m., she and Maketoane left their home in their silver Kia Sportage vehicle. They did not tell anyone where they were going or why they were leaving so early.
Their disappearance raised alarm among their relatives and friends, who tried to contact them on their cell phones but could not reach them. They reported them missing to the police later that day. The police launched a search operation for the missing couple. They suspected that they had crossed the border into Lesotho through the Ficksburg port of entry.
On 23 September 2023, the police traced their vehicle to a guest house in Mokhotlong, a town in northeastern Lesotho. They found Maketoane at the guest house and questioned him about his wife’s whereabouts. He confessed that he had killed her and showed them her lifeless body in the boot of their car.
Mamello Thamae husband was arrested by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service and detained in Lesotho, awaiting extradition to South Africa to face charges of kidnapping and murder. He did not reveal the motive or the method of his crime. He also did not explain why he had taken her body to Lesotho.
The police recovered Thamae’s body and transported it back to South Africa for a post-mortem examination. The results of the autopsy have not been made public yet. The police are still investigating the case and gathering evidence.
Reactions and Tributes
The news of Mamello Thamae’s disappearance and death shocked and saddened many people, especially those who knew her personally or professionally. They expressed their condolences and tributes on social media and other platforms. They remembered her as a kind, humble, intelligent, and courageous woman who had a passion for justice and human rights. They also condemned the brutal act of violence that ended her life.
Some of the reactions and tributes are as follows:
- The SAC-IAWJ issued a statement saying that they were “deeply saddened and outraged” by Thamae’s death. They said that she was “a loss to the legal fraternity” and “a role model to many young women aspiring to join the judiciary”. They also called on the police to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into her death and bring the perpetrator to justice. They said that they would “continue to fight for the safety and protection of women and girls in South Africa and beyond”.
- The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, tweeted that he was “shocked and saddened” by Thamae’s death. He said that she was “a dedicated magistrate who served with distinction” and “a rising star in the judiciary. He said that he had met her personally when he visited the Free State High Court in 2019 and was impressed by her work ethic and professionalism. He said that he would “ensure that justice is served for her senseless killing”.
- The Chief Justice of South Africa, Mogoeng Mogoeng, issued a statement saying that he was “devastated and heartbroken” by Thamae’s death. He said that she was “a brilliant and promising magistrate who had a bright future ahead of her” and “a valued member of the judicial family”. He said that he had interviewed her for a position at the Supreme Court of Appeal and was impressed by her qualifications and experience. He said that he would “pray for her soul to rest in peace and for her family to find comfort and strength”.
- The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, issued a statement saying that he was “appalled and outraged” by Thamae’s death. He said that she was “a respected and esteemed magistrate who had contributed immensely to the administration of justice in the country” and “a champion of women’s rights and empowerment”. He said that he would “not tolerate any form of violence against women and children in our society” and would “ensure that the law takes its course against the perpetrator of this heinous crime”.
Final Words
Mamello Thamae was a regional court magistrate and an acting judge who had a successful career in the judiciary. She was killed by her husband, who fled with her body to Lesotho, where he was arrested. Her death has sparked outrage and grief among many people, who have paid tribute to her legacy and called for justice. She will be remembered as a remarkable woman who had a passion for law and justice.
