Principal charged with M900k fraud

‘Mants’ali Phakoana

The principal of Thuso E Tla Tsoa Kae Handicapped Centre, ‘Mamonuku Mofilikoane (52) today appeared before the Butha-Buthe Magistrate Court charged with fraud.

The accused is charged by the Directorate Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO)  with corruption in that she directly engaged or hired a vehicle belonging to her brother, Letsipa Mofilikoane, for M529, 456. 00, without disclosing her personal interest and the nature of her relationship with him.

Mofilikoane is also accused of intentionally and unlawfully embezzling, misappropriating, and diverting M375, 593.00 for the school to her own use.

The accused was remanded out of custody by Butha-Buthe Magistrate Relebohile Khongoana.

She was represented by Advocate Christopher Lephuthing. For the prosecution was Advocate ‘Malerato Ntsatsi of the DCEO and other lawyers.

Mofilikoane was granted M2000 bail and a surety of M20,000. She was further ordered not to intervene with investigations and witnesses.

Pleading for bail on her behalf, Advocate Lephuthing told the court that the accused was charged in her capacity as the principal of the school and not a person.

He noted that from 2017 when investigations begun, Mofilikoane has been cooperating well with investigators and provided them with all required materials without hesitation. Therefore, based on these reasons, the accused can be trusted to continue cooperating.

Advocate Ntsatsi said the DCEO has completed investigations, and there was a written directive from the Director Public Prosecutions (DPP) issued on January 8, 2024.

The prosecution had no objection to the bail application and all the suggested bail conditions.

Advocate Ntsatsi also noted that it was important for the court to consider that corruption is a serious offence which affects the economic development of the country.

The hearing date will be set on April 4, 2024.

Thuso E Tla Tsoa Kae Handicapped Centre is a boarding school for children with intellectual and multiple disabilities.

It was established in 1985 by the late ‘Matsoakae Mphutlane, who recognised that there was a gap in the mainstream education system and that there were very few opportunities for children with disabilities in Lesotho.