Rethabile Pitso
THE Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) has dismissed 14 customs officers allegedly involved in tax fraud and corruption that reportedly cost the government about M81 million.
The officers were formally fired on 12 January 2026 after the conclusion of long-drawn-out procedural disciplinary hearings instituted by the tax collector in 2021.
Those dismissed are: Maleepo Ntšala, Ntaoleng Rantsane, Mamello Makhebesela, Serialong Possa, Khotso Poto, ‘Mabokang Mokhatla, Tsepo Nko, Refiloe Ranchebe-Litabe, ‘Mapaseka Maleka, ‘Maedward Khechane, Retselisitsoe Senamolele, Lira Lephole, Karabelo Hlalele and Lisema Morabane.
RSL said further investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of their alleged actions.
RSL initially suspended Lephole, Poto, Hlalele, Ntšala, Rantsane, Makhebesela and Mokhatla, together with Serialong Possa, Moiloa Chatsane and ‘Mataba Molatelle, in March last year pending investigations into the alleged offences.
RSL spokesperson, Thabang Loko, said the dismissals were carried out in strict compliance with the institution’s disciplinary procedures and the country’s labour laws.
“The disciplinary hearings took several months to conclude because due process had to be followed,” Mr Loko said.
“The employees were afforded a fair opportunity to defend themselves against the charges levelled against them.”
He said further investigations are being conducted in collaboration with the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) to assess the full magnitude of the financial loss.
“The DCEO has been engaged to institute criminal proceedings that will help establish the actual loss and uncover any additional wrongdoing that may have been overlooked.
“It is likely that forfeiture processes aimed at recovering unlawfully acquired assets will follow.”
Mr Loko added that more similar cases have been uncovered since April 2025, bringing the total number of concluded internal cases to 34.
However, he said cases already before the courts have yet to be finalised, despite trials having commenced.
“Since internal investigations began, we have received numerous cases involving unlawful conduct by some of our personnel. These 14 dismissals bring the total number of cases we have concluded to 20,” he said.
When contacted for comment, one of those implicated, Mr Senamolele, confirmed his dismissal but declined to comment further, saying he would first consult his lawyer.
