…as anti -graft body goes after him for double-dipping
Mohloai Mpesi
THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) has taken action against its suspended head of the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU), Peter Matekane, who had unlawfully taken up employment as Company Secretary at privately owned undertaker, Naledi Funeral Planners, in violation of laws and regulations barring active civil servants from assuming full time jobs in the private sector.
The Lesotho Times has established that Advocate Matekane was this week slapped with a show-cause letter for allegedly breaching the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences (PCEO) Regulations, 2021, which prohibit DCEO officers from engaging in private-sector employment. The Public Service Act similarly bars civil servants from gainful private employment.
However, it remains unclear whether the DCEO intends to dismiss him, as it has declined to disclose the full contents of the show-cause notice.
DCEO spokesperson Matlhokomelo Senoko confirmed to the Lesotho Times this week that Adv Matekane had been served with the letter. Ms Senoko, however, would not confirm when he was served or whether the notice requires him to explain why he should not be dismissed.
She said the anti-corruption body could not divulge further details, as doing so would “hamper the said action”.
Adv Matekane’s employment at Naledi came to light after he issued a notice to Naledi Funeral Planners’ shareholders, inviting them to the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held on 16 January 2026 at the Thetsane Office Park boardroom.
The AGM later descended into chaos and had among its agenda items the proposed removal of board chairperson Malefetsane Tlelima over the alleged “unlawful” recruitment of Adv Matekane, who has been on suspension from the DCEO since 2021.
It was during the same meeting that sources close to this publication disclosed that Adv Matekane was served with a summons to appear before the DCEO in connection with his involvement in a private company while still a civil servant.
This publication contacted the DCEO for clarification on the summons. Ms Senoko said Mr Matekane had been called in to receive a show-cause letter.
“He was summoned to the office to receive a show-cause notice and was duly served. He now awaits his response,” Ms Senoko said.
When asked whether the notice requires Adv Matekane to explain why he should not be dismissed, Ms Senoko declined to comment, reiterating that “further details can’t be disclosed as that would hamper the said action”.
Adv Matekane was accused by Naledi’s major shareholders of being instrumental in frustrating their efforts to remove Mr Tlelima.
This follows the summoning of controlling shareholders to the DCEO to answer questions relating to the affairs of Naledi.
The timing of the summons raised eyebrows, as the shareholders were reportedly required to report to the DCEO at the exact time the company’s AGM was due to commence.
Adv Matekane is accused of conniving with DCEO officials to scuttle the AGM by orchestrating the summons of controlling shareholders at the very time they were expected to attend the meeting. However, the DCEO denied this allegations, further agreeing to postpone the shareholders appearance to the following week.
A bloc of Naledi shareholders holding a combined majority of more than 70 percent — Thabiso Madiba (45.152%), Sidwell Jackson (12.523%), Khojane Madiba (1.243%), Mohau Linake (13.876%) and Retšepile Linake (1.248%) — argued that Adv Matekane’s recruitment was unlawful and amounted to a conflict of interest, as set out in a Special Notice of Intention to Propose Resolution for Removal and Election of Directors dated 4 December 2025.
“Mr Tlelima participated in the recruitment of Mr Peter Matekane while the latter was still employed by the DCEO, contravening the Civil Service Act, the company’s employment contract obligations, fiduciary duties to avoid conflict of interest, and laws relating to illegal enrichment,” the notice reads.
However, Mr Tlelima rejected the allegations in his response dated 15 January 2026, insisting there was nothing unlawful about Adv Matekane’s recruitment.
“I aver that there is nothing unlawful about the recruitment of Mr Matekane while he was still employed by the DCEO. The proposers failed to demonstrate the alleged unlawfulness in terms of statute, policy or any other law.
“There are no facts placed to support the proposers’ allegations that Mr Matekane’s employment at Naledi Funeral Planners contravened the Civil Service Act,” Mr Tlelima said.
Mr Tlelima has run to court to challenge his removal.
The directorate has previously stated on record that it was looking into Mr Matekane’s conduct, as he is barred from working for any other organisation while still a DCEO employee.
To compound matters, Adv Matekane this week circulated a notice to shareholders stating that the AGM held on 16 January 2026 had been adjourned and would resume on 27 March 2026.
“The AGM of 16 January 2026 was adjourned due to disruptions caused by some shareholders, making it impossible to conduct business in an orderly manner,” the notice reads.
