Suspended Post Bank boss charged with M10.6m fraud

Suspended Lesotho Post Bank (LPB) managing director, Molefi Leqhaoe, appeared before the Maseru Magistrate Court yesterday facing charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering.

The charges involving the leasing of the bank’s vehicles, which resulted in government losing M10,582,995.

Leqhaoe and 14 others were dragged to court by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO). They appeared before Magistrate Thabang Tapole.

Leqhaoe, LPB chief sales manager, ‘Mathabo Tšehlo, digital marketing manager, ‘Mamohau Mapota, Khethang Makhetha, Keneuoe Mochekoane, Tioetsane Seoka and Folojeng Folojeng were released on M10,000 bail each. They are all employed by the bank.

The following accused who were said to be students and pensioners were released on M5,000 bail deposit each: ‘Malerato Tlalinyane, Maletšabisa Seboka, Thabo Tšehlo, ‘Mampho Molefi, Ntsebo Thamae, Sekhonyana Mapota, ‘Mamorena Matsoso and Jota Hlabana.

According to the charge sheet, the government had in 2018 published a tender document wherein it procured services of Basotho-owned vehicles, and was facilitated by the Lesotho Post Bank.

The tender document had stipulated that only one vehicle per household was allowed for hire and that LPB employees and their relatives were barred from participating in the scheme.

However, Leqhaoe and his colleagues, acting in concert and sharing a common intention or purpose allegedly committed fraud, corruption and money laundering by concealing and disguising the illicit origin or true nature of the said monies or properties.

The charge sheet further indicates that Leqhaoe, Tšehlo and Mapota also approved loans for people closely related to them, without declaring their relationships, in violation of the bank’s policy.

As a result of the misrepresentation, the government was reportedly prejudiced of M10,582,995.