Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Lesotho Times
Published on 2024-03-05 13:41:13
Former Local Government and Cabinet Principal Secretaries, Nonkululeko Zaly and Thabo Motoko, have been implicated in the embezzlement of approximately M37 million in state funds during the state of emergency declared by former Prime Minister, Moeketsi Majoro, following severe floods in Lesotho in 2021. The revelations come from court documents filed in South Africa, where businessman Ketso Baba Ketso’s bank account containing millions has been frozen.
According to the court papers, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Disaster Management Authority (DMA), Makhotso Mahosi, who has since passed away, informed the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) that Zaly and Motoko had engaged in corrupt practices by awarding tenders to their associates in exchange for a bribe of M1 million. These tenders were for the rehabilitation of roads and bridges damaged by the floods.
The South African High Court judgment, issued by Justice Soma Naidoo on 22 February 2024, details the findings against Ketso Baba Ketso, who was a recipient of one of the tenders awarded by Zaly and Motoko. The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) successfully applied for the freezing of Ketso’s Maru-a-pula business account, holding R3 820 000. Despite Ketso’s opposition to the application, the court ruled in favor of freezing the account at the request of the DCEO, with the assistance of the South African Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in Bloemfontein.
The investigation revealed that the tenders were granted without following proper procurement procedures, and payments were made inappropriately. One of the primary beneficiaries of these unlawful tenders was a company called Maru-A Pula Mining Construction (Pty) Ltd, which received substantial amounts from the DMA for the road rehabilitation project. The judgment also highlighted the involvement of Kypros Engineering (Pty) Ltd and Phoenix Investments (Pty) Ltd, which were owned by Ketso.
Further scrutiny of financial transactions revealed suspicious activities, such as large sums being transferred to South African bank accounts and property purchases by individuals implicated in the corruption scandal. Mahosi’s involvement in facilitating these payments and receiving bribes was also uncovered during the investigation.
In a tragic turn of events, Mahosi was killed in a failed robbery attempt, allegedly orchestrated by her driver and accomplices who believed she had hidden millions in her residence. The suspects have been charged with murder, attempted murder, theft, and possession of illegal firearms.
The case has resulted in multiple arrests and charges against government officials, business entities, and individuals involved in the corruption scheme. The legal proceedings have been transferred to the High Court, where the accused await trial.
The saga of corruption and embezzlement in Lesotho’s government highlights the pervasive nature of graft and the disastrous consequences it can have on public resources and institutions. The freezing of Ketso’s bank account is just one step in the ongoing fight against corruption and the pursuit of justice for those responsible for stealing from the people of Lesotho.
Read the original article on Lesotho Times
