…after scamming victims M1.5k each on promise of teaching jobs
…as Prof Rapapa distances party from scam
Hopolang Mokhopi
A Nazareth woman accused of posing as a political operative has appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court, facing fraud charges after allegedly defrauding seven job seekers of M1500 each by promising them teaching posts in the Ministry of Education and Training.
The accused, Mathapelo Lepheane, is alleged to have run a bogus recruitment scheme in which she falsely claimed to be a senior member of the Alliance of Democrats (AD) and that she had been deployed by the party leader, Professor Ntoi Rapapa — who is also the Minister of Education and Training — to recruit candidates for teaching vacancies.
Court papers indicate that Lepheane allegedly told victims the payments were required to secure employment opportunities within the ministry.
Prof Rapapa has since distanced both himself and the party from the allegations, saying he does not know the accused and has never met her.
“No, she is not an AD member, and I do not know her or have ever met her before,” Prof Rapapa said.
“One of the victims reported the matter to the Ministry, which then alerted the police, leading to her arrest and charging. Hopefully this case will deter others from engaging in such acts of criminality. The Ministry is constantly and continually working with police in dealing with such cases.”
Lepheane appeared before Magistrate Lerato Ntelane, represented by Advocate Masoabi, while Crown Counsel Advocate Likhapha Rabale prosecuted.
She is accused of falsely representing to victims that she could secure them employment in exchange for M1500, allegedly under instructions from Prof Rapapa.
“In or about 20 January 2024, at or near Maseru Urban in the district of Maseru, the accused unlawfully and intentionally made a false representation to Bokang Mohlabi, with intent to induce her to act to her detriment, by falsely claiming that in consideration of M1500 she would secure employment at the Ministry of Education and Training,” part of the charge sheet reads.
She is further alleged to have defrauded six other individuals in similar circumstances. The alleged victims include Tšireletso Rakuoane (20 January 2024), Pitso Ranthithi (29 January 2024), Moipone Tau (14 June 2024), Selloane Moleko (1 July 2024), Moeketsi Mahloko (17 July 2024), and Seabata Seborane (30 August 2024).
One of the complainants, Moipone Tau (34) of Mafeteng, told the court she is a qualified teacher who graduated from the Lesotho College of Education in 2020 but remains unemployed and dependent on her family.
“On 13 June 2024, my sibling Kutloano said there is a member of AD who is helping unemployed youth with jobs, saying she only assists AD members,” Ms Tau testified.
She said she was later given Lepheane’s contact details and, upon calling her, was told she had been mandated by the Minister of Education and Training, Prof Rapapa, to help fill teaching vacancies.
“She told me there was a vacancy at Rapoeane Primary School for a teacher, and asked if I really needed the job,” Tau told the court.
Ms Tau further testified that she was instructed to pay M1500, which allegedly would go into an AD account meant to assist unemployed youth. She said she made the payment via M-Pesa and was also instructed to submit her documents, including an AD membership card, to an email address provided as MathapeloReg@gmail.com.
