—Court acquits them on corruption, fraud charges
Mohloai Mpesi
THE Maseru Magistrates Court has acquitted former Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police Principal Secretary (PS) Lefu Manyokole and businessman Pitso “Bikerboy” Ntsukunyane of fraud and corruption involving M4.5 million.
In August 2023, the duo was indicted by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offenses (DCEO) on two counts of fraud and corruption, together with the late Makhotso Mahosi, the former acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Disaster Management Authority (DMA).
Mr Ntsukunyane owns LL Constructions (PTY) Ltd, the company that Mr Manyokole and the late Ms Mahosi had allegedly conspired to unlawfully award a M4.5 million tender for the construction of a bridge at Seboche in Butha-Buthe in late 2022.
Their alleged conspiracy was alleged to have cost the government a total M4 538 900.00
Messrs Manyokole and Ntsukunyane appeared before Chief Magistrate ‘Matankiso Nthunya this week to hear the verdict.
Chief Magistrate Nthunya said the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence proving the duo had committed fraud and corruption as alleged.
The court was not informed of the specific roles played by Messrs Manyokole and Ntsukunyane in the awarding of the tender.
Ultimately, the Magistrate said the DMA had been the body responsible for awarding the tender related to rebuilding the damaged bridge. The bridge was built and deemed satisfactory, with payments authorized.
As such there was no evidence pointing to Mr Ntsukunyane and Mr Manyokole’s involvement in the alleged fraud.
“Therefore, the application for discharge is granted and the verdict of not guilty is returned in respect of all the accused,” she said.
