The Asset Forfeiture Unit Granted An Order Of R18 Million In The Lesotho Multi-Million Fraud Scheme
BLOEMFONTEIN: The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) was granted a forfeiture order of R18 million, that was fraudulently paid into South African bank accounts by Lesotho government officials, who allegedly siphoned approximately R50 million from state coffers through a well-orchestrated scheme, in which they inflated and diverted payments meant for suppliers to themselves and their companies, which had not rendered any services to the state.
The High Court of South Africa: Free Division granted the forfeiture order after the AFU proved that the money was fraudulently paid into Absa, Capitec, FNB and Standard Bank accounts, to defraud the Lesotho government. Lesotho Asset Forfeiture Unit and Lesotho Mounted Police requested the assistance of the National Prosecuting Authority Asset Forfeiture Unit, The Hawks and Financial Intelligence Centre when they established that officials from the Ministry of Finance, have allegedly siphoned approximately R50 million and R31 million and paid into South African banks.
AFU investigator Oddie Mradla found that R18 610 688 was still available to be preserved, and Adv. Bishum Somaru launched an urgent application in the Free State High Court to freeze the bank accounts. The money has now been forfeited and it will be paid back into the coffers of the Lesotho government.
Further investigation revealed, that R7,3 million was paid into personal accounts of the accused in defrauding the Lesotho government and this money has also been preserved after the AFU applied for an unopposed preservation order. The AFU will apply for a forfeiture of this money in April 2022, and seven officials from the Lesotho Ministry of Finance are currently facing charges of fraud and money laundering in Maseru Magistrates’ Court.
Issued by:
PHALADI SHUPING
NPA SPOKESPERSON
FREE STATE DIVISION
083 699 5900