Maseru, Aug. 22 — Former Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Malefetsane Nchaka spent a night in police custody after being arrested by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO).
This was confirmed by DCEO Public Relations Officer, Mrs. ‘Matlhokomelo Senoko in an interview with the Agency, adding that more details pertaining to his arrest will only be available after he has appeared in the Magistrate Court later.
However, she noted that DCEO has intensified its precautionary measures against the fight on corruption, saying this is becoming possible through the M70 million 2023/2024 fiscal budget allocated to the directorate.
According to Mrs. Senoko, in 2022, Lesotho came out 96 out of 180 countries of the world in accordance with the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), thus obtaining 38 percent.
“This means that corruption is rife in Lesotho, the more reason why DCEO has deepened its efforts to root out corruption in the country” she said.
Meanwhile, she noted that DCEO IS continuing with its awareness campaigns aimed at warning the society about corruption and its effects on the society as well as on public accounts.
The Agency has also established that PS Nchaka’s apprehension follows arrest of the former PS in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Lefu Manyokole, Disaster Management Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mrs. ‘Makhotso Mahosi and Pitso Ntsukunyane known were dragged to Maseru Magistrate Court by DCEO, Mr. Manyokole and Mrs. Mahosi were accused of fraudulently awarding M 4 538 900.14 tender to Ntsukunyane.
DCEO started its operations in May 2003 under DCEO Act No.5 of 1999 as amended to address all problems of corruption. Advocate Motlalekhotso Knorx Molelle is the new Director General.
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