—Amid reports of widespread abuse of state property in local councils
—DCEO boss urges media to join fight against corruption
Mohloai Mpesi
THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), alongside two statutory oversight bodies, are set to probe allegations of massive corruption and maladministration at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police.
The ministry is plagued by allegations of thefts of state property and mismanagement of yellow metal at various district councils across the country.
The DCEO and the offices of the Auditor-General and the Ombudsman, met last Wednesday and agreed to collaborate in probing all these allegations.
DCEO boss Brigadier Mantṧo Sello, Ombudsman Advocate Tlotliso Polaki and Auditor-General ‘Mathabo Makenete attended the meeting.
Brigadier Sello confirmed the meeting to the Lesotho Times in an interview this week. He said the heads of the three offices had met to discuss the modalities of implementing the joint investigative task. They had agreed that the DCEO commences with an initial probe of the allegations to establish the parameters of a joint probe.
Additionally, Brigadier Sello called on the media to join the fight against corruption in the country.
In March this year, Mokhothu Makhalanyane, the Chair of Chairpersons of parliamentary committees in the National Assembly, petitioned the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged maladministration and graft in the local government ministry.
Mr Makhalanyane, who represents the Mokhethoaneng constituency in the legislature under the ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) banner, cited the alleged theft of state property at the Berea District Council under which his constituency falls. There have also been reports of widespread corruption in the management of state owned yellow metal across district councils.
Adv Polaki responded on May 2, 2025, indicating the need for oversight bodies to discuss the matter to chart a way forward. She had warned that her office alone could not enforce remedial action to stem the corruption, if it was found, as it only issued recommendations.
The three heads then met last Wednesday to chart a way forward.
Brigadier Sello told the Lesotho Times the offices had agreed to give the DCEO time to conduct preliminary investigations and develop a plan for a joint investigation.
Meanwhile, the DCEO boss has also urged the media to join in the fight against corruption, saying the DCEO could not perform the task alone.
“We request the media to come on board and collaborate with us at the DCEO in fighting corruption,” Brigadier Sello said.
“This is a national duty wherein we all need to combine our efforts to help our country. The DCEO alone cannot tackle this problem – we need everyone to be part of a holistic approach against corruption in our country.”
