M26m corruption: PAC chair out on bail

The chairperson of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), ‘Machabana Lemphane-Letsie, appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court yesterday facing corruption and abuse of office charges involving more than M26 million.

Lemphane-Letsie was charged alongside the National Livestock Registrar, Pitso Ramokoatsi. The charges were brought by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), and both accused were granted bail of M5,000 each by Magistrate Motlatsi Kolisang.

As part of their bail conditions, Lemphane-Letsie and Ramokoatsi are required to appear in court until the conclusion of the trial and pay a bail deposit of M5,000 each.

They were also each ordered to provide surety in the form of a lease on immovable property by a citizen of Lesotho; and to refrain from interfering with investigations or contacting crown witnesses.

Magistrate Kolisang detailed that in 2019, while serving as the Principal Secretary and Chief Accounting Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lemphane-Letsie allegedly abused her office by authorising payments for incomplete work on multiple projects involving the construction of park homes to be used as offices under the Department of Livestock Registration.

In some instances, the commissioned work was not done at all, yet the companies that won the tender received their payments in full, the DCEO alleges.

Lemphane-Letsie is also accused of writing a memo instructing the accounts and examination department under the ministry to process a payment of M5 640,590. 70 for incomplete work performed by L & Kiti Construction under Lot 2 of the tender, covering the three districts of Leribe, Berea, and Maseru.

In another incident, Lemphane-Letsie, also in 2019, allegedly instructed the same departments to process a payment in the amount of M6,268,728.74 for incomplete work performed by BT Group (Pty) Ltd, for undertaking similar work under Lot 3, covering Maseru and Mafeteng districts.

According to the charge sheet, Lemphane-Letsie during the same period allegedly abused the functions or positions of her office, by instructing the payment of M6, 008, 154. 30 for incomplete work performed by Selemela Steel Works and Construction under Lot 4 of the tender, causing the company to obtain undue benefit from the government. The company’s scope of work covered Lot 4, comprising Mohale’s Hoek and Quthing districts.

The charge sheet further indicated that Lemphane-Letsie in 2019 also wrote a memo instructing the accounts and examination departments to process a payment in the amount of M7,083,106.50 for incomplete work performed by another company, Legends Construction (Pty) Ltd. The company was also involved in the construction of park homes.

Her co-accused, Ramokoatsi, according to the charge sheet, on or about March 15, 2019, did unlawfully and deliberately wrote a memo to Lemphane-Letsie in her capacity as PS home affairs reporting that 90 percent of the work was done at 36 construction sites, yet he knew this information was false.

Ramokoatsi also reportedly informed Lemphane-Letsie that the remaining 10 percent of the work would be completed in a week at four remaining construction sites yet he also knew that, at the time of writing that memo, there was no inspection conducted to quantify the work.

As a result, Lemphane-Letsie as PS and the finance department acted upon that representation and effected a payment in the amount of M5, 640, 590. 70 to L & Kiti Construction (Pty) Ltd’s account No: 62801167819 held at First National Bank.

The Lots were divided into the following categories as per the invitation to tender No. 08 of 2018/2019.

Lot 1 Mokhotlong, resource centres: Libing, Mapholaneng, Matsoku, Tlhanyaku, ‘Malefiloane.

Botha-Bothe, resource centres:  Matsoaing, Qhalaqhoe, Ngoajane, Selomo and Motete.

Lot 2 Leribe, Resource Centres: Ha Lejone, Ha Khabo, Peka, Maisaphoka

Berea, Resource Centres: Mapoteng, Bela-Bela, Sefikeng, Sebetia, Maqhaka.

Maseru, Resource centre: Morija.

Lot 3

Maseru, Resource centres: Semonkong, Ha Ramabanta, Ha Moitšupeli, Ha Maama, Nyakosoba.

Mafeteng, Resource centres: Ha Mosala, Ribaneng, Matelile, Tŝakholo, Thabana-Morena.

Lot 4

Mohale’s Hoek, resource centres: Hloahloeng, Ketane, Phamong, Mpharane, Taung.

Quthing, resource centres:  Mphaki, Mount Moorosi, Sebapala, Dili Dili, Tsatsane.

Lot 5

Qacha’s Nek, resource centres:  Sehlabathebe, ‘Melikane, Sekake, Matebeng.

Thaba Tseka, resource centres: Lesobeng, Sehonghong, St Theresa, Manamaneng, Ha Mokoto, Bobete, Mantŝsonyane.

Bidding submissions were made according to the above-mentioned tender. The tendering process was conducted to finality, and the following companies were awarded contracts as successful bidders.

MM Building Construction (Pty) Ltd – LOT 1

L& Kiti Construction –LOT 2

BT Group (Pty) Ltd- LOT3

Selemela Steel Works Construction (Pty) Ltd- LOT 4

Legends Construction- LOT5

Lemphane-Letsie’s lawyer, Advocate Makhaola Thieyane, yesterday urged the court to consider her status as a Member of the National Assembly, PAC chairperson, and leader of the Hope political party, arguing that these roles demonstrated her commitment to public accountability.

“She has a good reputation and will not risk tarnishing it by absconding. She also cares for seven children, some of whom are minors, and supports students from Ha Makhalanyane,” he added.

Adv Thieyane also noted that Lemphane-Letsie no longer holds the position she is accused of abusing, which, in his view, renders her incapable of committing similar offences now.

Advocate ‘Malerato Ntsatsi, representing the prosecution, did not oppose bail, citing the accused’s cooperation during the DCEO investigation.

However, she emphasised the gravity of the charges. “Corruption is a serious offence under the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences Act, punishable by a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of at least M10,000. Fraud, as per the Penal Code of 2010, can carry a sentence of up to 15 years without the option of a fine,” Adv Ntsatsi noted.

The accused are scheduled to return to court for remand on June 3, 2025.