Maseru, Feb. 12 — Mapuleng Mont’si appeared before Magistrate Thamae Thamae in an ongoing case in which she is accused of helping people secure jobs in the Ministry of Home Affairs in exchange for bribes and allegedly being involved in money laundering.
During cross examination, the prosecutor pointed out that previously the accused had denied working for Home Affairs and claimed that she did not know anyone employed there.
However, today the accused explained that she had provided the names of 10 people who obtained employment in that ministry.
The prosecutor told the court that it emerged that she had helped some individuals from her church secure jobs at Home Affairs, stating that she had received their names from the pastor’s wife.
The accused further stated that she did not demand money from the individuals she assisted in getting employment. Instead, she claimed that she lent them money because they appeared to lack proper clothing and necessary items for work, as some of them were required to travel far for their jobs.
She said she lent different individuals amounts of M10,000, M500, M4,500 and M1,200.
However, the prosecutor emphasized that witnesses who have already testified before the court stated that they paid money to the accused after she helped them obtain employment.
As per the charge sheet, Mapuleng Monts’i was charged with contravention of section 26(1) read with sections 32 and 34 of the prevention of Corruption and Economic offences Act No. 5 of 1999 as amended by Act .8 of 2006. (Bribery)
In Count 1, Monts’i in the period of October 2017 to April 2018, did commit the offence of corruption by directly or indirectly accept or offered to accept for herself or for any other person a benefit as an inducement or reward for or otherwise on account of her giving assistance or using influence in or having given assistance or used influence in promoting, administering, executing or procuring a contract with a public body.
The said accused deliberately demanded and accepted a bribe of M1500 monthly from each individual she helped secure employment with the Ministry of Home Affairs of Lesotho whereas the accused knew well that she was not assigned to officially or possessed any influence in the employment approval of applications for work by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In count 2, the accused is charged of contravening section 25(a)(i) read with section 25(2) and 25(4) of the Money Laundering and proceeds of crime Act, 2008 (Act No. 4 of 2008) as amended by the Money laundering and proceeds of crime Act No. 7, 2016.
The said accused in the period of October 2017 and April 2018, unlawfully and intentionally acquired or used property of M70,155 knowing or having reason to suspect that such property was derived directly or indirectly from acts or omissions which constitute a serious offence in Lesotho to which is corruption.
Ends/ MAMAJ/tl