MASERU — High Court judge Justice Nthomeng Majara escaped death by a whisker on Saturday night when her younger sister, who was in her company, was attacked by an ex-boyfriend.
The ex-boyfriend, aged 32, is alleged to have committed suicide at his home in Khubetsoana a few hours after he attacked the judge and her sister aged 41, according to the police.
Police spokesperson Masupha Masupha said investigations were under way.
He said the ex-boyfriend pounced on Justice Majara and her sister just outside the gate to her (judge’s) house in Maseru West as they were about to drive in.
Masupha said the police could not release the victim’s name saying they wanted to protect her dignity.
They were driving in the judge’s official car.
The suspect shot and injured the judge’s sister before fleeing.
Masupha said when the police arrived at the scene they found bullet holes on the passenger’s door and the head lights on the same side were also damaged.
They recovered six 9mm firearm shells at the scene.
Justice Majara was rushed to Maseru Private Hospital in Thetsane.
The suspect later committed suicide by shooting himself.
“He had shot himself in the mouth and the bullet went through his head. We identified him as the same man who had shot and injured Justice Majara’s younger sister,” Masupha said.
Masupha said the deceased’s name is yet to be released because his next of kin have not been informed of his death.
There is speculation that the deceased had attacked Justice Majara’s sister because she had ended their affair.
At one time, a source said, Justice Majara’s sister obtained a court order against him after he kept on bothering her.
Efforts to talk to Justice Majara were not successful.
Also, her sister could not be reached for a comment.
A source at the High Court said the judge had not reported for work since the incident.
“Since Monday Justice Majara has not reported to work because she does not have a car,” said the source.
The deceased man’s relatives said they could not talk about the issue as they had not yet informed other relatives about his death.
“We cannot talk about the matter because we have not yet informed other relatives,” said a woman who identified herself as the deceased’s aunt.
One of his neighbours who refused to be named said he heard gun shots on Saturday night and went out to investigate.
“When I came out I just saw people gathering in his yard,” said the neighbour. “He was lying in a pool of blood.”
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