Moleleki charged
MASERU — Former natural resources minister Monyane Moleleki is facing trial for allegedly assisting four men to fraudulently acquire a mining licence.
Moleleki, who is the deputy leader of the opposition Democratic Congress (DC) party, briefly appeared before Chief Magistrate ’Matankiso Nthunya yesterday morning to face two charges of fraud. He was granted M1 500 bail and his case was postponed to March 27. Moleleki becomes the first former minister who served under former premier Pakalitha Mosisili to be arraigned before the courts for crimes allegedly committed while still in office.
The prosecution says between May and June last year Moleleki assisted Mohapi Khofu, Tšepo Khofu, Kereke Moteletsane, Moeketsi Motšoane and their company Refela Holdings (Pty) Ltd to acquire a prospecting mining licence without having applied for it. The second charge says Moleleki intentionally abused the functions of his ministerial position when he violated the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act 2005 “for the purposes of obtaining an undue advantage for himself and/or for the” four men and their company.
His co-accused, who appeared before magistrate ’Manapo Motebele on January 30 this year, are charged with possession of the prospecting licence despite that they “did not (apply) in writing through the commissioner (of mines) when applying for prospecting licences at Ha-Ramatšeliso and Mosaqane in the district of Qacha’s Nek”. They are also charged with submitting to the commissioner’s office “false documents purporting that (they) held a community meeting at Ha-Ramatšeliso and Mosaqane . . . where they [intended] to apply for prospecting mining licences”.
The prosecution says they knew well that they did not hold any meetings in those places and the names of people who are alleged to have attended those community meetings were fictitious. The four men are further charged with defrauding the government by altering a date and conditions set out in the already false document and passed it to the Ministry of Natural Resources so that they could be issued with a letter of clearance from the Director of Environment.
The letter was issued on June 4, 2012 not on May 29 as the men made it to appear, according to the charge sheet. Both men are directors of Refela Holdings.
Moleleki was treated as a celebrity by a group of DC youths who rushed to the magistrate’s court on hearing that he had been arrested. They shouted party slogans and raised clenched fists when he appeared from the court’s door escorted by plain-clothed police led by Maseru’s top investigator Senior Superintendent Sello Mosili. His beaming smile at the sight of the party youths belied the fact that he was in court because he was connected with a serious crime of corruption and assisting crime suspects. Moleleki, clad in a grey suit, white shirt and red tie raised his clenched right fist in response to the ululations of the party supporters who had now formed a circle around him, giving his bodyguards a tough time clearing the way to his waiting car.
Later in the afternoon he blasted the coalition government when he addressed the party members who had gathered at the DC headquarters at Puma House.
“If this is how the Thabane administration believes it will lead Basotho to prosperity let us give it a chance,” Moleleki said. “But I swear that they are failing, their government has not produced any good results ever since its establishment last year.” He said the Thabane-led government is “just blabbering about abolition of corruption and hell bent on arrests that never bear good results”. “Their jabbering is meaningless because we do not see any progress,” he said. He cautioned the mob when it tried to expel police intelligence agents who were at the gathering. “Do not chase them away because we of the DC do not have any problems with the police doing their job,” Moleleki said.
“They have every right to be here and listen to us and analyse our discussions,” he said. “They will draw a distinction between us and the ABC (All Basotho Convention) and BNP (Basotho National Party (BNP).” Moleleki said DC members should not be hostile to the police investigating their leaders because by so doing they would be undermining efforts to restore justice to the corruption-plagued country. This is not the first time that Moleleki has been hauled before courts in connection with fraud. In August last year the police ransacked his home in Qoatsaneng and an orphanage under his control in Machache which he represents in parliament.
The police confiscated boxes full of documents which they believed contained information that supported its allegations that he had used the orphanage to siphon money from the government. The prosecution however failed to lay charges against him. At that time Moleleki said the new government was targeting him.
The investigation, he said, was a political fight against the DC. “I am saying they should investigate me thoroughly, both locally and internationally. This is an open challenge to the government and the police,” Moleleki said. “I assure them that at the end of it all they will come out with nothing. I will come out as clean as snow on a mountain.”
But he said after investigating him, the police must then investigate everyone else who has been in previous governments. “If the idea is to investigate possible corruption then we must all run the gauntlet. “I don’t have a problem with an investigation that is fair and includes everyone. “I am also open to the idea of declaring my assets. I will comply with any inquiry but we must all undergo the same process,” Moleleki said.
Comment by BB on 28 February 2013:
Ea tlileng ka polotiki Lesotho morero oa hae o phethahetse. Re tla hloeana, re nenane, re lakaletsane bobe, re somane,re ts’ehane…re hlabolloe ke lingoloa tsa linyeoe le litsietsi. Baruti le bona ba kene polotiki eona e re arolang tjena-re ba mamela ka mehla. Re se re le sechaba se halefang, se rohakanang, se ratang ho tletleba, se sa khotsofaleng,se ipelaetsang, se tellang, se thabelang litsietsi tsa ba bang, ka tataiso ea hore rea HLALEFISOA polotiking. Eee, re se re le joalo, ‘me ha ho sale sebaka peo ena e jaliloeng e metse, haufi re tlo kotula litholoana. Li tla feta linyooe, empa re tlo sala re le sechaba,se AROHANENG, se tletlebang, se tellang, se nyefolang, se halefileng, se ts’ehanang, se ehisanang…a re fela re rutehile-re rutehetse ruri ke polotiki?
Comment by semenekane on 28 February 2013:
Batho ba batla ho ipherekanya ka lintho tse senang thuso. Mahaletere o entse tlolo ea molao kahona ho nepahetse ha a qosoa moo a tlang ho its’oasolla haeba a sena molato.
Haho motho ea ka holimo ho molao kahona let the law takes its course le tlohelle ho kenya lipolotiki tse senang kelello litabeng tsa molao.
Ke leo hee! Lesika la thole Mahaletere, hare bone na o tla le tlola Ntja “me”. Haebe Lekoata-koata to left and right ho qosa batho bohle ba amehang litlolong tsa molao. Hali che!!! Letsoho la molao le sebetse.
Comment by Tsabisto on 28 February 2013:
Mahaletere must answer in court. Finish and klaar!
Comment by Antonio on 28 February 2013:
Na banna motho aka basa bokolla ha kale. Ke bona eka ena joale ke nako ea ts’enolo
Comment by Nthokasefubeng on 28 February 2013:
Tlohelang hore thetsa batho ba Lesotho times. Le bolelang ha lere hase khetlo la pele Mahaletere a qosoa ka fraud, feela lentse le bolela hore hona lekhetlong la pele bochochisi bo bohlotsoe ho fana ka qoso. Joale ha lere lekhetlo la pele o ne a qosoa ka fraud, o ne a qosoa lekhotleng lefe la molao, kapa ene ele private prosecution, hona ele mang aneng ana le thahasello ea ho moqosa? Hlokomelang hore hona le phapano pakeng tsa tsekisano le qoso (a civil suit & a criminal case).
BALANG TABA TSA LONA PELE LERE RE LI BALE!!!
Comment by Nthokasefubeng on 28 February 2013:
Tlohelang hore thetsa batho ba Lesotho times. Le bolelang ha lere hase khetlo la pele Moleleki a qosoa ka fraud, feela lentse le bolela hore hona lekhetlong la pele bochochisi bo bohlotsoe ho fana ka qoso. Joale ha lere lekhetlo la pele o ne a qosoa ka fraud, o ne a qosoa lekhotleng lefe la molao, kapa ene ele private prosecution, hona ele mang aneng ana le thahasello ea ho moqosa? Hlokomelang hore hona le phapano pakeng tsa tsekisano le qoso (a civil suit & a criminal case).
BALANG TABA TSA LONA PELE LERE RE LI BALE!!!
Comment by cantryman on 28 February 2013:
let gov do it’s work! I wish the police cud strengthen it’s investigation intelligence.
Comment by Rangoana moloi on 28 February 2013:
Ke eo taba!
Comment by Thabo on 28 February 2013:
Coalition haeba esebelisa matla a eona hampe ka such a severe discrimination,atla fela maqheka hobane habana lula litulong mono ho fihlela,why Moleleki only?
Comment by khathatso on 28 February 2013:
If that’s how it should be ha mmuso o fetohoa,hali boje li botshoha hobane DC is the upcoming gov.like it or not,’me coalition etla kotula sena seo entseng ese jala.
Comment by Tsotsi on 28 February 2013:
Hoja Mokola a hla fa mapolesa monyenyetsi ka bobolu ba matona a puso e fetileng, because the window of opportunity is closing. Ha ke bone eka o tla o besa o tuke Mokola khetlong lena.
Comment by BIG on 28 February 2013:
Haele bo Mosili le bo Mhlakaza bona hee ba sebelisoa masepa, jwale le bona ba lumela ho sebelisoa masepa ana aoo bantse baa sebelisoa
Comment by mapheo on 28 February 2013:
let it be the same le ho matona a mang a feting ka ‘nete re hloka bobolu bo felile ka mahlakoreng ‘ohle,kere le ba ntseng bale pusong le bona ba phahlolloe..
Comment by Beshance on 28 February 2013:
Hao bathong athe lene le batla ‘muso oo wa kopanelo o etseng?lene le batla o pate ntho tse tje bcoz ele bo Mahaletere? A.a tlohang jwale halesa tseba le ka qosa eng mapotoana.lea tena.
Comment by LEKHOARA on 28 February 2013:
nyeoe e arajoa ka khotla lona ba buelleli ba mahaltere, tsamaeang leo mothusa ho haha defence or else letla mochakela ase ale ka banneng.
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
Good move! Let the Law take its course, whether it’s Moleleki, Mosisili or whoever. The coalition under the Honourable Motsoahae has made the right move. Ba ne ba sa nahane ka arrogance ea bo-litjobo le bobolu hore ka leleng, Mohlomphehi Leqe, leq leqe o tla ba ka pela machotla a ilo araba tsa hae! I have waited for this day, for so many years. Ha ba hlatsisoe tse hapiloeng ka boqhekanyetsi. The net is closing in… DC watchout! Mopheme o hlatsisitsoeng tsa ona ka seholoho, eka khona o phele! Pele ea pele kopanelo, As the Honourable Dr Motsoahae sai, Nobody is above the Law, including Ministers. Tsena e sale linyane, likholo li sa tla. Good move by also shuffling Monyake, o ne a pheha hlama.
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
Hoa tetema ka mpeng tsa makoala le ba bolileng! The net is closing in and the day of reckoning is fast approaching! A felile matla a puso. Ka mang a neng a ka nahana Moleleki, kapela makhotla ho araba nyeoe! Ke motseba a le joalo Honourable Motsoahae. We are with you all the way coalition Government. Hoa sebetsoa joale. Ha ho ueng banna le sa ts’abe motho le sa qea qeee. Basotho ba le beile ba le tshepa ebile ba le tseba.
Comment by A hlephile mangope on 28 February 2013:
every dog has its day , Halti never thought hore o tla iphumana a le ka pela makhotla a qosoa ke any court of law Lesotho mona . nako eane e fetile eo ho neng ho foloa officeng ea hae ho batluoa chelete tsa sechaba ke corrupt DC supporters and friends.
Comment by moleko on 28 February 2013:
Joalo ka motho oa LCD ke re taba ena entle ebile ke chaella monoana ha eka etsoa to other Ministries under Pakalithas regime empa they can not all be tracked at the same time.There is somewhere to start so mononoa o itse moleleki joale ha eba ena o tseba bao ana sebetsa le bona o tla ba nts’a.Che Khothatso ngoana monna ha eba ore ebile 2017 DC will win elections and then revenge that means me and other congress man did a good thing not to follow “Ba na ba litae”,ho bua nete o bua leshano DC will never in your life have out right majority so bua ho eleng taba eseng takatso.Popane Lebesa o kae o tla kena ha na itukise ka taba ea bloem le tse ling tseo a litsebang.
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
There are some insinuations that the present Government should have turned a blind eye! This is wishfull thinking and it’s not going to happen. Everyone is equal in Lesotho and is under the rule of Law. Who said Moleleki is above the Law. let him be charged and answer. If found innocent, then his name is cleared. If not, God help him. This is not SA and we shall not take the Zuma 783 approach. Moleleki must prove himself clean and beyond reproach (“Clean as snow on Lesotho’s mountains”). That way, he will earn the respect of everybody including coalition supporters. Good work by the Police.
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
We know that he created an empire and all great empire’s come crushing down! All the deals he signed off should continue to be investigated, and if found inappropriate added to the charge sheet. We know that he made several people (BEE types) very rich who in turn returned the favours. Let those be investigated and found to be amiss, action taken! It is the Law after all. Nothing will stop the coalition Government. Thank you once again Dr Motsoahae.
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
Popane Lebesa should be next. I hope the police are investigating vigorously and we will hear something very soon! The coalition is very patient like the Vulture. Take them on one by one and take them and their beneficiaries down! Watch this space…
Comment by Lebo on 28 February 2013:
Basotho ba heso tlohelang ho tseha batho ba bang ha ba le bothateng hobane taba eo ha e tlise khotso le phelisano ‘moho eo re ipolelang re e batla etsoe lefatseng lohle ha ho ‘Tjaka-tlhoka-koli’ le uena u ntseng u buoa, ha u ka latelloa hantle ho ka fumanoa letho ho uena leo u ka qosoang ka lona. Haeba mohlomphehi Moleleki o sebelisitse botho ho sebetsa lintho e seng molao ba bangata re ntse re na le ho etsa joalo.
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
The Police must also investigate all those he made deals with who queued at his office! As the saying goes, “You lie down with dogs, you end up with fleas”.
Comment by OnPoint on 28 February 2013:
Instead of debating critical issues we are busy ka trivial things. How about an analysis of the budget speech, economic growth and other important matters meant to take this country forward. Corruption is not the only thing that needs to be addressed here but it seems this government is helle bent on some misdirected withch hunt. People should be charged for their wrongdoing but that should not be the only focus.
Comment by dk on 28 February 2013:
ba entse mine mane ha mahlekefane i wonder ho tlo etssahalang mine tsena tsa botsotsi
Comment by soso on 28 February 2013:
PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION AND ECONOMIC OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) ACT 2006.
Section 24 provides; where a person has been convicted of corruption or cheating public revenue, the Court may, in addition to the sentence imposed and upon application by prosecution, order forfeiture to the State of all assets accrued to the convict or held on his or her behalf.
please help: Who will do the dirty work of implementing this section?
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
Good people, let us not defend corruption in any of it’s forms. Neither should we presume people are guilty before they have been found guilty by Courts of Law under the rule of Law. A lot of bloggers who support Moleleki on this forum unconditionally, are assuming he is guilty. He is not guilty yet, he has simply been charged! Let him answer and exonerate himself Molakolako oa Machache! This is what has to happen and there is nothing new about it! After all, Moleleki is human like the rest of us and can make mistakes! If the mistakes amount to corruption, then he should be found guilty and serve his term like every other man or woman in this country.
Comment by Victim on 28 February 2013:
I was once under the illusion that police in this country has what it takes to uncover complex covert criminal operations. To my biggest dismay I have noticed that they lack the requisite acumen to carry out a mediculous,flawless investigations. They seem to lack the most basic investigative skills and all they do is rely on feedback they get from their so called “informers” who do nothing but hallucinate about things that do not even exist.
What pains me most is the realisation that these informers or mathuela if you like, will always form they own opinion about someone in the community simply because s/he does not belong to their league. Their reporting is never informed by facts but malice. Unfortunately, with the type and calibre of police we have, everyone is at risk of being harrassed by this peabrained police and we must all be prepared that one day this unskilled police will come to your place alleging that you have either drugs, guns, or counterfeit money, ransack your house and leave you humiliated feeling like your God has forsaken you.
I want to conclude by asserting that no one is above the law, the police have a moral and legal obligation to investigate anyone without fear or favour, but most of the time the conduct of the police in this country is nauseating. Phew!!!!!
Comment by Aunty P on 28 February 2013:
I wonder why people are happy that Moleleki has appeared before the Courts… I also wonder why others are not happy that he did… Also, Moleleki is not correct to ask why him!!! If not him, then who? People go to courts on different charges and different days. It would be too much to go at the same time.. People, GROW up.
Comment by AK58 on 28 February 2013:
I hate politics. is there anything that you can report on apart from this junk? I am not gonna buy the paper 2day
Comment by Ngoana Motho on 28 February 2013:
hahahahahahahahhahahah…. he oa qabola hle “CLEAN AS SNOW”. fela seboko ke sa eng re ka tlohelang mosebetsi oa etsoa. Ke ipotsa ka mehla hore ebe DC ke eona fela e lokelng ho tsamaisa NAHA e ea Lesotho?
Comment by Ngoana Motho on 28 February 2013:
Chelete ena e jeoang ka bolotsana ke ba bang ha e hlahe e tsebe ho ekeletsa basebetsi mekholo e amohelehang, bana ba Basotho ba rutoe. Chelete e ngata Lesotho mona fela ho bonahala e feletse bathong ba neng ba sebelisa matla a bona hampe.PHOA!
Comment by Lechela on 28 February 2013:
Litaba tse mpe ruri
Comment by Oa Likoetseng on 28 February 2013:
Ho shoa hoa Lesole le leng ke ho tsoha hoa le leng. Ha ho ntho e mpe ee senang molemo.
Kea kholoa ha Sekatle hlathe e lelekisa tsebe hobane joale ntho ea bona e ka ‘na ea butsoa.
Ntaatee hoja oa fa Ntseetse Ntho ea hae..Ha ho potang, Mokola o lo betla majoe a mabitla.
Lineo le Litjobo bona khoeli e tlo apoheloa ke maru, Motho o tlabe a re “Lefats’e taboha ke kene”.
Comment by Mokoko oa Lihlaba on 28 February 2013:
Ntate Moleko ,oa LCD ngoaneso toka ha e phethoe ,moleleki thought hore ke sesoasoi se seholo,ke kopa lekhotla le be le strong merits tsa nyeoe ena,hore na ebe haeba batho bana baile ba tsoela pele ka mine ona ,Lesotho le ka be le tlo lahleheloa ke bokae ka baka la corruption and unlawful sales of these diamonds.Hona hee ke bopaki ba hoere Lesotho le ne le tlo lahleheloa ke li Billions not papali ,so maseterata enoa ,o hloka ho elellisoa taba ena ,ele hore moleleki le lequlaona la hae ,ba hoehle chankaneng lilimo tse telele ,kapa ba patale ‘Muso limmilone tsa maloti.Hee rene re khathetse ke batho bana baneng ba nahana hore Lesotho mona ke hahabona.Ma-ABC,MA -LCD,MA -BNP ,re kopa rekopaneng ho feta mona,moo re sa sebetsang hantle mabatoueng re sebeletse sechaba ,hore re hlokise Potoana (Devils of Corruption)monyetla oa ho busa hape.”‘
“Moleleki le mosisli ba keke ba hlola ba busa naha ena ,’Me a ka tsoha mabitleng .Basotho ke kopa mohlang nyeoe ena ea ngoana enoa oa mohlehle e lulang re lo bokanang khotla ho kholisa le khotla hore tse itsuitsoeng le tse nkuoeng ka bolatsana li tsoaneloa ho busetsoa.Mosisli le moleleki just forget it ,le keke la hlola le busaq naha ena le khale ,kea tiea ke ea hlapanya,a nka tsamaea ke tsotse Maseru motse moholo.Khoso Pula Nala ,bana ba Nkhaulise e motsoana Thuhloanaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Comment by BKC on 28 February 2013:
While I have never agreed with the politics of the congress movement nor even the conduct of its’ leaders but I am inclined to agree with caution that all leaders from past governments should also be investigated. I am saying with caution because the ‘purge’ politics has never in the history of Nations bore sweet fruits!
The circle ends up being so vicious that the monster even goes to consume its’ own architect-in this case Thabane is the architect.
Most unfortunate is that was this type of a political monster has tasted blood it will stop at nothing such that even the innocent will become victims in the course! You only have to read a few history books to confirm this.
The danger of the political purges is that they becoming so aborbing that the real needs of the People are left unaddressed while the purgatory monster pursues its unquenchable thirst for more blood.
One the the cardinal reasons why Mokhehle was never able to govern this country was becuase of similar pursuits.
Looking back we can only recall some prominent BCP leaders then being the worst corruption drivers-where money full of brief cases went missing while some were relieving themselves in dongas; where ‘rats’ developed the rare skill in ‘eating’ cheques and running to their hide outs in holes!
My humble advise to Thabane-the monster you have created will end up consuming you up while the Basotho People shall remain forever ridden by poverty and disease because of your energies are dedicated to feeding the ‘monster’!!
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
I don’t know why people insist on politicizing this issue. This is about a alleged crime having been committed Finish and Klaar! In my view, this is not a political purge nor does it have anything to do with the politics of the day, PERIOD. It could easily have been the past Government that charged this guy. The people shall prevail, Amandla!… Awethu! Matla!… Ke a rona!
Comment by Kliketso on 28 February 2013:
“where money full of brief cases”. Eish!! BKC this should be “briefcases full of money’!
Comment by Moeketsi Max Pakisi-O.M.I on 28 February 2013:
Ekare a ka ea ka banneng ba mo kuta sehlotho sena le litelu. Ba mo meta tonguekiss, ba mo nka 1 ka ma1one. A re leka m2 banna, a nahana ha tsoaloa joaloka rona
Comment by Akhona on 28 February 2013:
People try to mind your own Businesses, are u aware that ur helping others to run their errands??? If Law takes its course, beware that Lesotho letlo hloka mmuso, and on top of all the Prime Minister.
Comment by critical on 28 February 2013:
Patriotism by those who hold de bread basket in this country has never been practised selfishness has for years been the tje crntre of every political leader eva since I was born in this country @ de xpence of poverty striken mosotho so its high tym wr becam udults¬ grown ups& look@de situation from de pespectiv of those who are under de poverty line & also figure it. Out hore na wher eud they be by now if it has nit been bcoz of greed of dthose who. out
Comment by Checheiki on 28 February 2013:
Haaa bolawe bloodyful bona ba motho! khaale ba leqetsa lisatane! haa kalo kotwa ka litonong teronkong le ena
Comment by Maru-mats'o on 28 February 2013:
My friendly advice to the powers that be is, slow down a bit and reflect (haneu, ha li eme re botse!). Remember you are in the game of politics, which is essentially a game of numbers. While arraigning former ministers may bring instant glory and gratification, it will not be long before people see through the smokescreen. Also, remember that the coalition government doesn’t enjoy a clear majority, and in politics, anything is possible. As they say, a week is a long time in politics. Sadly, because of rushing and jumping to conclusions, Mokola won Round 1 in the sense that the first drummed up charges against him were dropped, and this exploded in the face of the government. Triumphalism and political purge are short-lived and dangerous in the extreme because they make your fellow countrymen feel alienated and victimized.
Lesotho politicians should take a cue from what Zuma did after Manguaung. Contrary to wishes and expectations of the rank and file, he continues to work with Motlanthe, his challenger, as his deputy. This is a sign of political maturity, and it consolidates democracy. History shows that these kinds of shenanigans are not new in African politics, and that later on, they usually come back to haunt those who perpetrate them. Remember the origins of what came to be a political mantra in Lesotho: ‘HA U TS’ABA U TS’ABE MOTHO”!
Comment by Masumo on 28 February 2013:
Ha Moleleki a ile toronkong le tlo fumanang e molemo ha le entse lerata eka le tlo fumana letho tje? Ha makhotla aka mo fumane ase molato teng ekaba le tlo soaba ho joang kapa o tla ba ba file million kaha le tloaetse ho cho? La seke la ikema eka le tlo fumana letho le molemo.
Comment by zondi on 28 February 2013:
who ever ‘s saying this is being politicised is perfectly wright, those who are sayin’ its not, they should say that to thier families not here, u can fool yourselves not us, you cant tell me that moleleki is the only dirtiest among who ever served in the previous administration, the list is long, its just that some have formed an allience with ABC period, letlohele ho re thetsa ka hehe the law takes its course….hehe the takes its course, thats bull shit.
Comment by Thapelo on 28 February 2013:
Basotho will only be truly happy when they see a former minister or top government official serve time in jail. For far too long we have heard of so and so being corrupt but i will ululate only when this Machache fellow gets into jail to serve his time. Our resources and taxes have been embezzled for too long by stinking corrupt ministers and officials. It is amazing how some very poor people end up supporting these same people and dancing for them when they are escorted by police. If you look among those dancing you will find those who cannot even afford shoes yet they are stamping the ground with them; toes peeping out. some are even jobless and their tax has gone into the pockets of these corrupt fellows instead of powering government’s programme of job creation. Amazing really! How naive!
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
Who said those who want Moeleleki to go to jail are aiming to benefit? If he has committed a crime and abused taxpayers money then he deserves to go jail. Whether we get anything out of it or not. The court can also order him to repay some money or impose. This goes to the public purse and benefits Basotho. It’s not about personal gain, its about principle and the difference between right and wrong, corruption and honesty! Nobody is looking for personal gain! What myopic commentary.
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
Ke hore ma-DC a shebile mejo nako ena kaofela. What can one possibly benefit if a man is arrested for breaking the Law. I will reiterate, Nobody is above the Law.
Maru-mats’o, Making an example of Zuma783 or ANC is the worst possible example. They are a corrupt lot who even assassinate one another in the name of pure gluttonous greed. An MEC recently got arrested killing another member and ordering hits on fellow ANC members. How despicable! We, BASOTHO have nothing to learn form ANC and Zuma783 for that matter. They rank as the most corrupt lot on this continent to the extent that they make every other corrupt person seem like a kid. Look how he killed the scorpions, manipulated the Judicial system to quash his court case and the extent he went to to thwart his day in Court. Its sickening!
Comment by Marathon on 28 February 2013:
The Editor,
I’m glad you apologized for the bad and full of insults comments posted in this website by some of your newspaper readers. I had since stopped posting my comments because I realized some of our fellow readers are out to attack their fellow Basotho, and for what no one knows. People do not make an attempt to analyse the stories published instead they go further to bring personal lives of other people into these dirty schemes of theirs.
Even when a matter is not political in the look of it, they have their way of turning it into a political agenda and playground.
I was once so deeply touched by the story of Dr Thahane being cleared for human trafficking the story published by the Sunday Express. For all the period the poor man has suffered the pain of knowing he was leading the public some of whom belief he is a criminal capable of a serious crime like human trafficking and yet for all the time he knew from the bottom of his heart that he was innocent. What about those who are not afforded an opportunity like that to clear their names?
Basotho what went wrong and to the love that used to bind us together as one nation? Let us attack the situations that devide us and not the people simply because they are not in our leagues.
Comment by kakapa on 28 February 2013:
Joale u tla lula a li raha li mpoeng mona li mmeri tsena tsa mmuso oa kopanelo mokola! u tla hlaha a le mosoeu soeu joalo ka lehloa holima thaba phechela! ha le loana le loane….
Comment by Tlhase on 28 February 2013:
Well said Kakapa. Although you are preempting the process. It has to run its full course for Molakolako to be declared cleans as the snow on Thaba Phechela! The man must be given a chance to answer in open Court. I subscribe to the principle of Innocent until proven guilty! Let us be clear, he is a suspect for now! As for mmuso oa kopanelo, its not about whether Mokola beats them or not, they are simply doing their fiduciary duty as our elected Leaders by acting on possible corruption if there is any at all. The man will prove himself clean. Why are people screaming that its politics!
Comment by lerato thulo on 28 February 2013:
MR MOLELEKI IS AS CLEAN AS SNOW.
Comment by Thabo on 28 February 2013:
Basotho re chaba sa Satane, ebile re ke ke ra tsoa tlaleng le khale! Ke mafufa feela. Joale le media oona oa bo Sebonomoea o kenya lehloeo sechabeng.
We just had the most progressive budget speech ever, and yet nothing is mentioned in these diabolical papers! Sek! Ekare re ka otloa ka volcano ra shoa kaofela………sis!!!!
Comment by Mahaletere on 28 February 2013:
He banna le basali ba heso ke feletsoe ke lifela thoteng, empa lea tseba hore ke Mokola ke Molakolako oa koana Machache khalong la thipa e ea thunya libabana street. Ke tla theohela ka banneng teng ha kehane empa chelete eona bakeke ba e bona kere setsung ke ha Molapo. Oa Machache Mokokola banna Molakolako oa habo lesiba Orphan village, ha Ntate Maleqetsa lithbeng.
Comment by Mahaletere on 28 February 2013:
He banna le basali ba heso ke feletsoe ke lifela thoteng, empa lea tseba hore ke Mokola ke Molakolako oa koana Machache khalong la thipa e ea thunya libabana street. Ke tla theohela ka banneng teng ha kehane empa chelete eona bakeke ba e bona kere setsung ke ha Molapo. Oa Machache Mokokola banna Molakolako oa habo lesiba Orphan village, ha Ntate Maleqetsa lithabeng. Hee banna lichele le royal salute e hana ho theoha;
Comment by Aupa on 28 February 2013:
Ma DC a sa ithuting hore u hairy leader z a sellout u realy suck. Dis guy gav people mining rights illegaly n le claima gore z a political issue, oh please! Mining z one of our major income generating sector n u stupid people say dt mahaltere was doin d rit thng. W want a leader nt an oppotunitst
Comment by Khomo ea Molatelle on 28 February 2013:
Taba e teng e batloang empa ena e le MAHOLI A PATILE MAEBA. KHALE re ile ra le bona ho tloha le sa le bahanyetsi.
Tloho le bona Mr. Moleleki, one by one.
Comment by ntja e khopo on 28 February 2013:
Motho eno haa ikarabelle le tlohelle ho mo arabella. Haeba o “clean as snow” ho tla bonahala.
Comment by Tamati on 28 February 2013:
ke hore li etsahale re bone,fela re li ngoloe fats’e re tle re seke ra li lebala!
Comment by motho on 1 March 2013:
makhotla a Lesotho khathe a sebetsa jwang, ngoana e mong o ne a utsoitse bicyle le phn hoa the bail ke M10 000, motho e mong o fana ka lakesense tsa ho rafa lihloliloeng tsa naha o fuoa bai ea M1500? che kea e tshaba ntho e Lesotho.
Comment by Oa Likoetseng on 1 March 2013:
@ Masumu ha Moleleki a ile Teronkong re tla fumana melemo ee latelang;
Lekhotla la DC le tlilo etelloa pele ke Mofumahali.
Boo Ausi Lineo ba tla philisana hamonate le sechaba hobane ba tla tlohela mepoto.
Lebotho lee eteletsoeng pele ke Litjobo le tla qhaloa ‘me Sesole setla tseba hore ke sona poho feela ka hara naha.
Ntate Mosisili o tla ke a tsebe ho phela le ho robala ha monate ntle le lits’oso. Ka hona DC e tlaba le Khotso le ts’ebelisano e ntle le ‘Muso.
Comment by Nonyana on 1 March 2013:
Hoba hoa qaloa ka phatlalatso ea maruo hobane hee ho jooe ‘musong oabo Leqeleqe. Le ba teng pusong hona le amehang hare palameng sika la thole kaofela. E felletse kae tender ea government fleet services? Hobaneng e ekellelitsoe nako? Ke hobane feela boy tse jeleng still have a say in the government joele bro. Tom ha ana matla ‘musong ona oa chakalaka. Why Mahaletere le li PS tse qosoang ka bobolu li sa beelloe ka thoko ho mosebetsi? Coalition ea e pheha hlama.
Comment by cheletenne on 1 March 2013:
leseke la retena emong le emong o sebeletsa bophelo ba hae le mona hale sa khone ho utsoa.Moleleki ha thibella motho ho i keketsa mokhoa oa ho plela.Ha lene le sa hloke letho tom akabe a sa tsaka ho busa ha kana,metsing a kabe a sa tseka hoba moetapele.se ka retennang ha lifeele ho lona haeba letsepisitsoe letho.molao ebe ona hao etsoe ke motho,moahloli eena hase motho, ebe eena o hlokile haholo.mapolesa hoja hare tsebe tsa ona retlo heleng rona rephele ka more khonnang!!!
Comment by sefanka moleleki pule on 1 March 2013:
ke hore matoala ,bnp lcd ,letla matha ka mora MOleleki hofihlela neng
Comment by Qoo on 1 March 2013:
Wait and see Halti in khakhi and maroon jersey watering Correctional Services Commissioner’s crops. You will then know that indeed Lesotho Police know what they do most. Faka mali usobona. Hopola bo Solly ba ile ba ea tjele ka lebaka la mahaltere.
Comment by kakapa on 1 March 2013:
Kea le bona le palesitse manasi ting…ene le fumane poho empa le hloloa ho tsoala!
Comment by hateDC on 1 March 2013:
Ha a t’soaroe we all knw that Mahaletere is corrupt to the core so DC supporters dnt unserstand wht de blubbering is abt oh! n FYI ha hona mohla DC e tla busa I bet my dick on that one!so stop thinking dat evrythn de govt does is coz le le ma DC ur all pathetic 4 thinking dat.n so mr moleleki can u pliz tell us wht ur govt in 15 yrs!get a life!
Comment by Joe Lekau on 1 March 2013:
justice should affect all. It should not be seen to be selective./
Comment by Mahaltreeeee!! on 1 March 2013:
mixing politics with corruption is only going to cause hypertantion to DC`s memebers, for me even moleleki being remandes is a mile stone in the attempts of this noble tripatite government to weed out corruption to the core, whether allegations or not I can assure you that moleleki is going to face the full wrath of the law and we are going to see his loyal and faithful henchmen ie kamoli, litjobo, etc trembling to the core of their knees. The government will not forget the nonsense that kamoli said about Tom during the 2007 frictions and the fact that he was put at the helm by moleleki himself so that he was to continue where he left off in 2007. Re leboha Molimo ea re pholositseng litleneng tsa tau.
Comment by sematsatsa on 1 March 2013:
joo atla fela maqheka tsatsi le teng, hmm, ho joang kajeno?
Comment by voicetruth on 1 March 2013:
Well said Mr moleleki. But normal practice and simple logic tells us that police can never go around sniffing for fires where there is no smoke. I’m not aware if there is any country with such kind of resources, the world over, let alone lesotho. Simple estimates tells me that such a wholesale exercise might require the country to increase its police force by not less than 2 times.
Comment by Lehlonyo on 1 March 2013:
I lost interest on this very long time ago. If we’re fighting corruption of the politicians, why do charges being against the only one politician? Or Is it because he benefited more than others?
Comment by Mokoko oa Lihlaba on 1 March 2013:
‘Na ha tsotelle hore na nyeoe ena e political or not ,hoteng ke hore moleleki one a lutse setulo sa sechaba se khethileng so ,ha ke utliui hre na joale re tla tlohela ho kenya lipolotiki joang nyeoe ena ,motho enoa o ne a sa senyetse ‘mae ,o ne a senyetsa sechaba.
Joale ke u tluoa ke tsaba hore na motho enoa eo hothoeng ke tau ea thaba ,ha eka Lehlahana la hae le tsoeroe tjena lejoe le putsoa na marikhoe haa metsi na?Joale re tlo utloa mehlolo hore na se jeleng ngoana Tona kholo ea mehleng keng?
Comment by Tsotsi on 1 March 2013:
Ke hona re tlo tseba ka bobolu ba office ea First Lady, he ho jeoe chelete ea sechaba officing eo. Ka ‘nete motho ea neng a re ho etsoe maipolelo o na otlile khomo lenakeng. Mccd o sebelelitsoe sechaba hantle lilemo tse 5 feela, tsena tse 10 esale a khabella hanong, ho Leqetsoa ho tlohetsoe mokhatlo.
Comment by Noko on 2 March 2013:
Ke ipotsa hore na li teraka tsane tse neng li isa furu ka State House li se li e isa Qacha na? kapa petrol ha e sa tsoa from ste coffers…?
Re fepa motho le likhomo, likhoho, likatse le lipoli…?
A naha e malimabe…ke lumela hore Mosili ha aka chakela ba ahisane ba state house ba tla mojoetsa na ke life ba tsebe hobatla na line li khannoa ke mang, eatla bolela na neli ts’eloa kae..’me ea li tsetseng o tla bolela hore invoice eile kae…’me haeba li tsetsoe mahala, monga tsona o tla bolela hore na mohau o mokalo ono tsoa kae..
Ha Foso pela lifateng ha se hole haholo ho Mosili ho fihla a shebe mo honang le literaka…
Roma hase hole ha abatla tsela re ka mo tsamaisa….lengotsoaneng mono a botse monna ea molelele ea tla mo fumana hore na ke mang ea neng a fepa katse tsa hae le li poli ka teraka…nyeoe e teng mono…
Comment by Linyebe on 2 March 2013:
@oa likoetseng u tala tje ka writer ea story sena,hs points are oposing.he believes every charge ke fraud,u lobokane tje ka malaslapi.btw u n halti who is celebrity,am sure u fatse.DC cnt b shut by tlhoriso it mks it stronger n u knw dat
Comment by molomo mosehlanyana on 2 March 2013:
sebopeho sena sa litaba ke seipone sefeletseng sapuso e fetileng,kahona basotho bantse ba hula’ngoa ka ‘methe seretseng hothoe ntho ke bokamoso baka ebe khora bokamoso bahao ebetlala, haeba honale ‘maka tlala lesotho mona ke bobolu boetsoang ka pene le pampiri holutsoe litulong tse tjekang kamabili hoetsoa basotho liphoqo,ntate Tom a sebeletse basotho kaponaletso ntle hotsitiso ea letho a bontse ka metso bobolu asa khathalle maemo a motho,Qacha koana honale ngoanana ea e ntsoeng poho ea banna ea ileng arutoa kebona lekaleng la localgovernment eaneng a pataloa a kena sekolo ea bitsoang Ntsubise ea sebetsang ele mookameli litseleng tsenyane ebile a laola le ofisi ea DCS akenella le PROCUMENTENG ka holaola tsela ea tendering thekong ea thepa
Moo a loanelang hore horekoe mabili moo anang le litsela tsaho mokola chelete ea ‘muso teng joalo kaha bomphato oahae Admin le Finance manager baetsa haleseisane koana kokstad ha Eurocar ele hothefula seriti sa puso ena e o ree khethileng,Reba kopela hoitlhahisa kaofela ba arabe thepa ea ‘muso ke mathata hoje oa chelete.
Comment by Geezy on 2 March 2013:
Bohle ha ba hlahlojoe eseng motho a le mong feela
Comment by Thabang on 2 March 2013:
It is quite a relief to notice that gone are those days when people were dragged to police stations or military barracks only to be illegally detained there without any formal charges before our courts of law. But what remains worrying is the fact that our police have always seemed to wait for instructions from higher offices before doing their job. Their objectivity is questionable. Lastly, where were these people who now claim political foul-play when the likes of Ts’osane, Thakalekoala, Billy, Lerotholi and Mokhants’o when they were arrested and hauled before our courts in 2007?
Comment by keizer on 2 March 2013:
ke hona ba bang ba satla kapa qoso e feella ka moleleki feela. the recent prime minister must also be investigaTed and the collition govenment must form minister of corruption for moleleki and the minister must be Pm thabane
Comment by lofo on 2 March 2013:
I see desperation in the present government. Firstly, it was said Mokola had millions stashed in several accounts here and abroad, his name was in all radio stations and the know-all were giving all kinds of leads. It led to no-where. How do you accuse a minister of wrong-doing when he has signed a document with relevant attachments? Does he have to make investigations that the papers signed were authentic before they are signed? Or is it because it is Mokola? Then Lehohla and many others, should be hauled before the courts of law. Lehohla as a minister, trusted his officers. Lehohla had signed the papers that gave Ntaote, a former Assistant Police Commissioner, “more money than he deserved”. And yet it was Ntaote who was hauled before the courts of law instead of recovering the overpayment as is normally the case. If this is the case, I see no former minister surviving the courts of laws.
My suspicion is that the government is fearful of stable opposition in parliament because of government’s slim majority. Strategy is to distabilise and keep the opposition dowsing fires instead of looking into real issues. One of the current ministers was alleged to have been invloved in mandrax and illegal passports for Asians, but this was not brought before the courts of law. Its perhaps about time that individual is also hauled to answer. Can he? The problem is truth in Lesotho politics is always a victim. What is at play is always vindictiveness. One is not saying Mokola is a saint, but I do think there is just too much attention put on him to warrant accusations that it is a witch hunt. The Ministers that took government mercedes benzes for M4,000.00 should all be brought to book, including judges, PSs? Can this happen? Hell NO. This is just to show that someone just chooses what she/he thinks is worthy of being condemned and brought to courts of law. There is no fairness, morality and adherence to accepted good governance practices.
Shame on our politicians. They should be passing laws and looking into dual citizenship issue instead of chasing after cheap thrills.
Comment by thabo on 3 March 2013:
Mokola ke phoho, haesale meketa e pota e re o batla ho ketola Tau ea thaba, o batla ho theha party ka hara Lcd, o se a hohetse matona ho motsehetsa le tse ling tse se nang motheho. O kae kajeno! Ke bo mang ba fetohetseng tau ea thaba? ke bo mang ba keneg moalong le manasi? ke bo mang ba rerang ho koalla motho chankaneng pele a kena makhotleng. Na litsoko le mashano a buang ka mokola ho na le le
ha ele mohatlanyana feela o ka sutjoang oa amahangoa le eena. Freedom of speech e matla Lesotho me e ntlafalitsoe nakong ea puso ea bo mokola. thola o mamele o shebe ha coalision e ntse e tsoela pele o tla bona ha e le koala molomo. Ho joalo.
Comment by I hate boikaketsi on 3 March 2013:
God in Heaven! Hake kholoe hore sechaba se sennyane joaloka Basotho, se nyallaneng hakana, se buang puo ele ‘ngoe seka hloeana hakana! Kele motho ke hloile bobolu haholo empa le lehloeo le lekana hake lerate. Basotho ba sebelisa lipolotiki hampe ekare hose lumellane ka maikutlo ke bora! Hona le batho ba tletseng moea o lit’sila oa lehloeo Lesotho mona and ba hloka ho thijoa hobane ba tla re etsetsa sechaba se bitter! Hona le batho ba hloileng nt Moleleki ele motho, hona le ba hloileng nt Thabane, hona le ba hloile nt Mosisili, le ba hloileng nt Maseribane, le ba hloileng Ma-Congress/Ma-Nationale etc. For these Haters anything eka hlokofatsang batho bana bao ba ba hloileng will be most welcome! Even liretlo te kang tsa Koalabata. Hona joale ekare motho o senyelitsoe PERSONAL PROPERTY eseng thepa ea rona sechaba kaofela. Ba bang le makhotla ana ke t’senyo ea nako ba tatetse kahlolo and e ba khotsofatsang feela! This country is full of Haters ba etsang ntho tse mpe hampe mesebetsing ea bona. Ba nahana hore ke li-clever ha hosa buuoe tsa mesebetsing ea bona. Bafarisi!
Comment by Bahabile-Kae on 3 March 2013:
Toka e a Joe!!! Feela lona Ba Thabane le
tle le se Kene molekong hobane joale re tla
Le beha ka pele ho molao ebile re tletse boiphethetso
Pusong ea rona!!!
Comment by Mahaltreeeee!! on 3 March 2013:
There can never be true and honest reconciliation in this country as long as past mistakes are hidden from the public… up to today we dont know who killed the son of the former Prime Minister, we dont know who the likes of bo Ramotso, Mokhantso were severly tortured by Kamoli and He is still at the helm, we dont know where is the 50k promised for the development of the youth( I think on this one Rethabile Mosisili can be of help), we dont know why such a criminal like Ntsie was so close to the former state family, even ferrying them to the court during the Maile`s trial, we dont know why Ntsie was able to have tea with Ntate Lehohla(the former DPM), we dont know why Sekatle sa mosali would embrace Kamoli`s ascenssion to power while it was never done to any commander before, we dont know why Kamoli would publicly announce that Thabane will never rule this country, we never knew the criteria used for Ntsie`s child to present a programme on TV Lesotho… the list is endless.
Ache banna Lesotho la bo ntata rona!!!!!
Comment by Letsatsi on 4 March 2013:
I just hope this time the case will go through it won’t be like the previous case that did not see the day light.
Comment by zondi on 4 March 2013:
lea buwa le qetelle ka ho itlatlarietsa, molao o tlameha ho sebetsa, empa eseng ho moleleki feela, all should be investicated including thabane, mpho malie, matsing,motloheloa phooko and the crew, ha le batle ho e bua eno, ho hoholo ke ho etsa mahaletere toilet.
Comment by Toronto on 5 March 2013:
Ke tlatsana le motho areng lehloeo le bathong(individuals) other wise Nt Moleleki le ena ke motho o ntse a ena le bo fokoli tje ka emong le emong oa sechaba sena, ‘me kahlolo a tla e fumana, ke tumelo eaka hore e tla be e mo tshoanela.. Regardless guilty or innocent
Comment by Kausi on 5 March 2013:
Monyane Moleleki should be allowed to clear his name in a court of law. Mapotoana, please give Monyane Moleleki space and time to clear his name in a court of law. Re batla “Makhotla a qete” taba ena ea Moleleki. Naha ena e busoa ka molao. Lest you forget the strings of the so-called charges laid against the likes of Thakalekoala, Alex Tsosane etc etc etc. Every so often under your rule people were charged with so-called “trason”. Lest you forget why the SOU-LMPS was formed. Ha re bana hle banna. Rea tseba how Mapolesa a lintho li khoarahla used to harass the members of the then opposition. La chaba!!!
Comment by semenekane on 6 March 2013:
Rule of law should be applied to anyone suspected to have committed crime. I don’t understand why should people politicize criminal activities. Why can’t u give the courts of law a chance to prove weather Mahaletere is guilty or not.
If u Potoana’s have evidence about other people who should be hauled to the courts of law, why can’t u furnish that evidence to respective investigation authorities instead of defending our criminal leader namely Mahaletere?
Le ea tena oa tseba? Nxa!
Comment by Mahaltreeeee!! on 6 March 2013:
`Na ke kopa le utloele mapotoana bohloko hobane they never dreamed that one day molingoana enoa oa bona could be hauled b4 courts of law,they had literally considered themselves indespensable and born to rule this country forever( ke tla le busa ho fihlela le tloaela) even engaging them in this forum is a waste of precious time, lets the law take its cause….. he ke tennoe ke mapotoana ana!!!
Comment by Manane on 6 March 2013:
Every dog has its day. Just that some days are longer than others. This man has 20 more cases of corruption against him. The longer you mess up – the more cases you have to answer.
Ha se eena feela, ka potoaneng ka mono ke baqosuoa feela. Lebaka ke hobane bo thena ba ne ba se ba sebelisa chelete ea sechaba joalokaha e ka ke ea bona.
Comment by Lefefooane on 6 March 2013:
@Kausi, Well said. It is of vital importance that Mr. Moleleki is given his day in a court of law. Moleleki must be allowed to clear his name otherwise this “cloud” of corruption will always be hanging on his head. It is quite imperative that the nation and indeed vthe DC supporters and Letsema supporters know if indeed Mr. Moleleki issued the mining leases without following the due procidures. It would again be interesting to know the relationship between Rafela Holdings and Mr. Moleleki and finally to know if Mr. Moleleki ever issued any mining lease or mine prospecting lease without following a due process.
Comment by MATULA-TULA on 4 April 2013:
HEE!!
Comment by Dog on 12 April 2013:
masobe he o re tene,o tsaba monna hakale hoo o tlung hore otla re joetsa ntho tse tje?re joetsa na o tla re etsetsa mesebetsi joang,tlohela ho pota mona o no bolele hantle hore o botla setulo eseng hohong.