by Odious Debts Online

August 14, 2003
A decision is expected tomorrow on an appeal launched by Canadian engineering company Acres International against its conviction and R22-million fine for corruption in relation to one of Africa’s largest water supply projects. In September 2002, the Lesotho High Court found Acres guilty of two counts of bribery totalling more than R2.5-million to secure contracts in the World Bank-funded Lesotho Highlands Water Project to supply water from Lesotho to South Africa. The first company to be convicted in the Lesotho trials, Acres International requested a suspension of the fine pending its appeal. The Lesotho water scheme has been under scrutiny since its chief executive, Masupha Sole, was found guilty of receiving more than $1 million (about R7.5 million) from international contractors and consultants from Britain, Canada, France and Germany. Mr. Sole is now serving a 15-year prison sentence. An investigation into Sole’s finances prompted Lesotho to take action against 12 multinational engineering and consulting companies, as well as several intermediaries, associated with the project. In June 2003, the Lesotho High Court convicted a second company, German engineering consultants Lahmeyer International of paying approximately US$550,000 in bribes to Masupha Sole in relation to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.¬†