The Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) together with the National Prosecution Authority’s, Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) successfully secured a preservation order of more than R3 million against a South African company for fraud that was committed against the Lesotho government.
It was reported that, in 2021 Lesotho experienced floods, which led to roads being damaged. The Lesotho government then established a ministerial committee, which include department of Public Works and Department of Local Government to assess the extent of damage road infrastructure. Lesotho Disaster management authority was then mandated to coordinate the process by procuring and paying services rendered by the contractors for fixing of the roads. It is alleged that certain tenders were issued without following proper procurement procedures. A South African based company Maru – a – Pula construction Pty Ltd allegedly received more than R3 million from Lesotho through these fraudulent activities.
The matter was then reported to the South African authorities by the Lesotho government, which culminated to the preservation order being granted on Friday, 20 January 2023 by the Bloemfontein High Court.
