…as he agrees to pay back M6 million
Mohloai Mpesi
DEMOCRATIC Congress (DC) Member of Parliament for Mechachane, Jane Lekunya, has agreed to become a prosecution witness in the M109 million tender scandal involving the procurement of agricultural inputs.
This follows his agreement to repay M6 million to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), representing money he allegedly benefited from in the fraudulent awarding of the tenders.
Mr Lekunya was initially charged alongside businessman Moeketsi “Tsunami” Ntaote, former Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Principal Secretary Mapaseka Nkone, and Ntaote’s companies, Glorified Group of Companies (Pty) Ltd and Movement (Pty) Ltd.
The DCEO yesterday issued a statement confirming that Mr Lekunya had agreed to refund the M6 million and cooperate with the prosecution in the case.
“The DCEO wishes to inform the public that on 7 September 2026, Jane Lekunya appeared before the High Court in connection with charges arising from investigations and cases relating to contracts awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture during the 2021/2022 financial year.
“Investigations conducted by the DCEO established that Lekunya had received a financial benefit arising from the fraudulent handling of contracts.
“Following discussions with the DCEO, Lekunya undertook to refund M6 million, which he had benefited. He also agreed to cooperate with the prosecution in the case concerning the contracts that were fraudulently awarded,” the statement said.
The DCEO said the case against the other accused (Ntaote, Nkone, Glorified Group of Companies (Pty) Ltd and Movement (Pty) Ltd) would still continue.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times yesterday, DCEO spokesperson Matlhokomelo Senoko confirmed that Mr Lekunya had turned state witness.
“He is going to be a state witness because he has agreed to work with the prosecution on the contracts that were corruptly awarded,” Ms Senoko said.
“The DCEO has resolved to file a forfeiture and recovery application to reclaim the public funds, since criminal matters can take years to conclude.
“The amount is based on the evidence obtained through a forensic investigation of Mr Lekunya’s banking accounts. This was the amount that could be proved based on the available evidence.
“Mr Lekunya’s information has greatly assisted in strengthening the case against the main perpetrators of the fraud and corruption,” she said.
Efforts to reach Mr Lekunya for comment were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was unavailable yesterday.
Mr Lekunya had allegedly bankrolled Mr Ntaote, whom the DCEO alleges was illegally awarded fertiliser tenders worth M109 184 650 by Ms Nkone.
Contacted for comment, Mr Ntaote initially declined to comment but later said: “I cannot comment. That is Mr Lekunya’s issue, not mine. I don’t have any opinion on these issues. They involve Mr Lekunya and the DCEO. I believe he felt it was okay for him to do that.”
