The Lesotho Government Online
November 29, 2004

Fined M10 million by the Lesotho High Court two years ago after it was found guilty of bribing former Lesotho Highlands Development Authority’s (LHDA) Chief Executive Masupha Sole, international construction company, Lahmeyer International, has been back in court on another case of bribery.

Appearing before the Maseru Magistrate Court on November 25, on charges of wrongfully and unlawfully and corruptly make payments totaling in excess of M1 Million to Reatile Mochebelele, then Chief Delegate of the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission during the period 1996 to 1999.

The payments were made as a consideration for action or inaction by the said Mochebelele in his capacity as a public official, in the context of work done or to be done by the accused on the Highlands Water Project, according to the charge sheet read by Magistrate ‘Mants’ebo Ramone.

A Director at Lahmeyer International, Mr. Raymond Stock was granted bail on condition that he would turn up for the next hearing on December 2 and on any further dates to which the matter may be remanded. The accused is also expected to co-operate with the Director General of the Anti- Corruption Unit, Mr Matsoso, who investigated the matter. Stock’s passport was surrendered in terms of section 15 of Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences Act, of 1999.

Meanwhile, another another foreign company, Impregilo, is due to stand trial in the Lesotho High Court next April. A total of 18 companies are expected to be prosecuted in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project bribery scandal.