…over corruption and fraud charges
Hopolang Mokhopi
THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) has hauled National University of Lesotho (NUL) lecturer Professor Mosotho George before court on allegations of corruption and fraud.
Professor Mosotho, a lecturer in the NUL Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, appeared before Magistrate Nkhethoa Molapo in the Maseru Magistrates’ Court this week, accused of abusing his position while serving as a lecturer and member of the NUL innovation committee.
Prof George is alleged to have exploited NUL’s innovation structures for personal financial gain.
According to the charge sheet, “…Around the year 2023, and at or near the National University of Lesotho in the district of Maseru, the said accused did unlawfully and intentionally, as a member of the National University of Lesotho Innovation Committee (NULIC) or an employee of the National University of Lesotho, commit the offence of corruption, to wit: by having a direct or indirect interest as a shareholder and founder of Orbitals (Pty) Ltd, also known as Orbitalab, a company or undertaking with which NULIC, through CAFI funding, proposed to deal.
“The accused is further alleged to have had a personal interest in a decision which NULIC had to make and which it did make, by nominating and awarding the accused’s business funding in the amount of approximately M129 000. He is accused of knowingly failing to disclose the nature of that interest and participating in the proceedings of NULIC relating to CAFI funding.”
Alternatively, the charge sheet states that the accused “did unlawfully and with intent to defraud deliberately make a false representation, to wit: by engaging one Reitumetse Khoabane to present to the National University of Lesotho Innovation Committee and CAFI a business proposal for the incubation of Orbitals (Pty) Ltd, a company which he founded and in which he held shareholding.
“The accused is further alleged to have concealed from NULIC and CAFI that he was the founder and shareholder of Orbitalab, also known as Orbitals (Pty) Ltd, a fact which he had a duty to disclose, with the intention that NULIC and CAFI should act upon such representation. They duly did so by nominating and awarding Orbitalab (Pty) Ltd funding to the tune of approximately M129 000, to the detriment of NULIC and CAFI, thereby committing the offence of fraud.”
Prof George’s lawyer, Advocate Samuel Putsoane, applied for bail, arguing that the accused would not interfere with Crown witnesses or obstruct police investigations.
Adv Putsoane emphasised that the accused would not abscond, noting that he is a Mosotho employed as a lecturer at the NUL.
“He has a family and children whose school fees he pays,” Adv Putsoane said.
He proposed bail in the amount of M5000, with surety of M50 000 or property of equivalent value.
Advocate Mampepuoa Mofoka, appearing for the Crown, did not oppose bail. She indicated that investigations had been completed and that the matter was ready for set down.
Magistrate Molapo granted bail in the amount of M15 000, with an additional surety of M50 000.
The magistrate further imposed strict bail conditions, including a prohibition on interfering with Crown witnesses or obstructing police investigations.
“The accused is warned not to interfere with witnesses or investigations in any manner,” Magistrate Molapo said, adding that any breach of the bail conditions would attract immediate consequences.
