Directorate On Corruption and Economic Offences - DCEO, Lesotho

LESOTHO AND BOTSWANA STRENGTHENED ANTI CORRUPTION COOPERATION

The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) and Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) engaged in discussions about joining hands in the prevention of corruption and economic offences during the Bi-National Commission held in Botswana from the 14th -18th June 2026.

The Director General of the DCEO, Advocate Brigadier General Mantso Sello and Director General of DCEC, Ms .Botlhale Makgekgenene signed the agreed minutes as a way of showing commitment and formalising the outcomes of the discussions.

COVID-19 Supply deal lands a woman in fraud and money laundering case

MASERU-A 44-year-old woman from Motheo 2, Masianokeng, has appeared before the Maseru Magistrate Court yesterday facing charges of fraud, money laundering and contravening business licensing laws in connection with the award of a government contract for the supply of dry rations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The accused, Mats'oanelo Nkoefoshe, is alleged to have unlawfully and fraudulently misrepresented business information in 2020 to secure a contract awarded under emergency COVID-19 procurement measures.

According to the charge sheet, Nkoefoshe allegedly submitted borrowed documents to the Cabinet Administration and the Disaster Management Authority (DMA), falsely representing the existence of independent business entities. Prosecutors allege that these misrepresentations induced the authorities to award the dry rations supply contract to Double Joy Snack Bar to the exclusion of other competitors.

The prosecution further alleges that, following the award of the contract, the accused received payment of M283,500.00 from the government. On the first count, Nkoefoshe is charged with fraud in contravention of Section 68(1), read together with Section 109, of the Penal Code Act, 2010.

In the alternative, the prosecution alleges that she intentionally engaged in conduct amounting to money laundering by concealing the true origin and legitimacy of the procurement process using borrowed business profiles and misrepresentations.

The second count relates to an alleged contravention of Section 25(1)(c), read with Section 113, of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, as amended. She also faces a third charge of allegedly contravening Section 41(1)(i) of the Business Licensing and Registration Act, 2019.

The matter was heard before Magistrate Ts'osane, who granted the accused bail on a deposit of M3,000 and a surety of M10,000. The case was remanded to June 30 for set-down.

Forestry Officer Charged Over Misuse of Government House
MAFETENG, June 16, 2026 -An officer in the Ministry of Forestry Mr. Mosiuoa Ntabe of Mafeteng, was remanded in custody by the Mafeteng Magistrate's Court on Tuesday after being charged with allegedly renting out a government-owned house for personal gain.
The court heard that Ntabe is accused of unlawfully leasing a house belonging to the Ministry of Forestry located at Ha Qaba in Mafeteng and collecting rental income amounting to M73,000 between May 2021 and October 2025.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly contravened Section 21(3)(b), read together with Sections 31(a), 32 and 34 of the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences Act No. 5 of 1999, as amended by Sections 17 and 20 of Act No. 8 of 2006.
During the proceedings, the prosecution opposed the accused's release on bail. However, the court granted bail subject to a cash deposit of M3,000 and a surety of M30,000. The matter was postponed to June 30, 2026, for set down and further proceedings. The case was before Magistrate Ramabele.

DCEO Operational Staff Undergo
Cryptocurrency Crime Training
MASERU, 09 June,2026-The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) recently conducted a one-day cryptocurrency training workshop for its operational staff drawn from the Asset Recovery, Asset Declaration, Intelligence, and Digital Forensics units. The training aimed to enhance the capacity of officers by equipping them with the latest knowledge and emerging trends relating to cryptocurrency-related crimes and investigations.
As digital financial technologies continue to evolve, criminals are increasingly exploiting cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets to facilitate illicit activities, including money laundering, fraud, corruption, and the concealment of proceeds of crime. Recognizing these emerging threats, the DCEO organized the training to strengthen the preparedness of its operational units in detecting, investigating, and responding to cryptocurrency-enabled crimes.
The workshop provided participants with insights into the fundamentals of cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, methods used by criminals to exploit digital assets, investigative techniques, asset tracing and recovery, as well as the use of digital forensic tools in cryptocurrency investigations. The training also highlighted global trends and best practices in combating financial crimes involving virtual assets.
The initiative follows a five-day cryptocurrency training programme recently hosted by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC). The regional training brought together representatives from 20 African countries, including Lesotho, to discuss emerging challenges and strengthen collective efforts in addressing cryptocurrency-related corruption and financial crimes.
Officers who attended the regional training shared the knowledge and skills acquired with their colleagues during the one-day workshop, ensuring that the expertise gained is cascaded throughout the organization. This approach demonstrates the DCEO's commitment to continuous professional development and its determination to remain responsive to evolving criminal trends.
By investing in specialized training and knowledge sharing, the DCEO continues to strengthen its operational capacity and enhance its effectiveness in preventing, detecting, and investigating corruption and related financial crimes in an increasingly digital world.

DCEO Concludes Three-Day Retreat for District Anti-Corruption Committees

TEYA-TEYANENG, 29 May 2026 – The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) has successfully concluded a three-day workshop retreat for members of District Anti-Corruption Committees (DACCs), aimed at assessing their progress, achievements, and challenges in the fight against corruption over the past two years.

The retreat provided a platform for DACC members from across the country to reflect on their performance and evaluate the implementation of their activity plans while strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders. The committees comprise representatives from various government ministries and departments identified as corruption-prone sectors.
To encourage excellence and commitment among the committees, the DCEO also recognized outstanding performance by awarding certificates to the best-performing districts during the retreat. The certificates were presented as a form of motivation and appreciation for the districts' dedication to implementing anti-corruption initiatives and promoting ethical conduct within their areas of operation.

DCEO Facilitates Systems Integrity Committee Workshop to Promote Transparency and Accountability

27 May 2026
Maseru – The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) yesterday hosted a one-day workshop for members of the Systems Integrity Committees (SICs) from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology and Innovation (MICSTI) in Maseru.
The workshop aimed to re-engage committee members on the terms of reference of the Systems Integrity Committees, develop activity plans, and enhance understanding of the reporting template and its completion. The session also focused on logistical preparations for the official launch of the committees once the activity plans have been finalized and approved.
In his opening remarks, the Director General of the DCEO, Advocate Brigadier General Mants’o Sello, emphasized the critical role of active stakeholder participation in the fight against corruption and the promotion of integrity. He noted that the DCEO cannot effectively combat corruption without collective support and collaboration from all sectors.
Referring to Lesotho’s score of 37 percent on the Corruption Perceptions Index, where the country ranks 99th out of 182 countries, Advocate Brigadier General Sello urged participants to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability within their respective institutions.
Delivering the closing remarks, the Deputy Director General: Administration, Mr. Litelu Ramokhoro, commended the representatives from both ministries for their active participation throughout the workshop. He further encouraged them to remain committed to promoting integrity and accountability in the public sector to enhance public confidence both nationally and internationally.
The workshop concluded with agreements on reporting timelines and launch preparations as part of the way forward, alongside renewed commitments by stakeholders to strengthen the effectiveness and sustainability of the Systems Integrity Committees.