Four convicted over fake notes

MASERU — Four people were last week sentenced to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of M10 000 each after they were found in possession of fake South African currency.

They were also sentenced to another 10 years or a fine of M10 000 after they were found in unlawful possession of diamonds.

The sentences will run concurrently.

The three men, who are South African nationals, were also found guilty of being in Lesotho illegally.

Police spokesperson Masupha Masupha said the police received a tip off that led them to a certain place in Teya-teyaneng where the four were arrested.

“The four people were in possession of the new Mandela notes worth of M17 000,” Masupha said.

“All the notes had one serial number, BJO665386, and were worth R100,” he said.

“These people also had pieces of uncut diamonds that they bought in Mokhotlong.”

Masupha said they “used the fake notes to buy the diamonds and they also confirmed that they bought the diamonds in Mokhotlong”.

He said the notes were made from a piece of paper and also their texture proved that they were fake.

The fake notes did not have a watermark and other features that a legal note has.