Hopolang Mokhopi
A Mabote Filter Clinic nurse, Leuta Mahao (28), has been charged with attempting to defraud Alliance Insurance Company through a bogus funeral claim.
Mahao appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court this week, where he was formally charged with attempted fraud.
He was released on M1000 bail after appearing before Magistrate Puseletso McPherson, with Advocate Matiase Chopho prosecuting.
According to the charge sheet, on or about 10 July 2025, at or near Alliance Insurance Company, Makhetheng, Maseru, Mahao unlawfully and intentionally misrepresented facts to one Retšelisitsoe, an employee of the insurer.
He allegedly lodged a funeral benefit claim for his uncle’s death, although the latter was neither a policyholder nor a registered dependent under the said policy.
“. . . the said accused did unlawfully and intentionally make a false representation to one Retšelisitsoe . . . by lodging a funeral benefit claim under policy no VNA 634651 for one Moshati Abel Mahao who is not a policy holder nor an insured person under the said policy number, the accused therefore committed a crime of fraud or alternatively attempted fraud.”
The charge was read and explained to Mahao in Sesotho, and he confirmed that he understood it before he was also informed of his rights to bail and legal representation.
His lawyer, Adv Motena Lehloenya, applied for bail.
She argued that Mahao was a first-time offender who had cooperated with the police and would not interfere with Crown witnesses and that, as a nurse at Mabote Filter Clinic, Mahao needed to continue working.
She proposed that bail be fixed at M1000.
Prosecutor Chopho did not object to the bail application, although he indicated that investigations were under way.
Magistrate McPherson granted Mahao bail on condition that he pays a M1000 deposit, attends all remand hearings, does not interfere with Crown witnesses or police investigations and stands trial to the end.
Magistrate McPherson remanded the case to 23 September 2025.
