Lesotho PM murder plot suspect 'dies'

One of the nine men charged with plotting to assassinate Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili in April 2009 has died in a Maseru hospital, the Lesotho Times reported Thursday. Alberto Makwakwa died on July 20 at Queen Elizabeth II hospital after a serious illness, the paper said. Makwakwa's body was taken to the mortuary the day after his death, which was kept under wraps due to the tight security surrounding the case. He and eight accomplices have been charged with 31 counts, including murder and attempted murder, over a military-style offensive on the official residence of the Lesotho prime minister on April 22, 2009. Two men were arrested shortly after the shooting. Makwakwa and six others were arrested across the border in South Africa the day after the shooting. They were extradited in April this year. Their trial is expected to be begin on August 22. The shooting attack in the tiny kingdom, which is entirely surrounded by South Africa, was the most dramatic in a series of attacks on political leaders in the country since disputed elections in 2007, which the opposition still contests.