Moteane submits to DCEO probe
Hands airport refurbishment documents to anti-graft agency amid corruption enquiry
MOTSAMAI MOKOTJO
MASERU – Neo Matjato Moteane, the Minister of Public Works, has confirmed that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) received documentation related to the M184 million refurbishment project of Moshoeshoe I International Airport.
Moteane disclosed this week that his ministry fully complied with the DCEO’s request for the files. This follows Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane’s public call for evidence against ministers suspected of corruption, stating he “cannot work with such people.”
Initially evasive during an interview with Public Eye, Moteane dismissed questions as “off limits” but later stated: “If there is evidence, it should be taken to the prime minister… I will not respond further as the matter is under investigation. The prime minister will act as he sees fit, and that will be fine.”
When pressed on whether he feared dismissal, Moteane admitted: “Of course, I mind being fired. Do I think I’ll get fired? I don’t know.”
He emphasized that tendering processes are handled by a selected team, not his office directly.
Frustrated with further questions on the details of documents he has submitted to the DCEO, he added: “You will reach a point where I refuse to answer, and then you will claim my silence means guilt.”
Advocate Brigadier Mantšo Sello, DCEO Director General, declined to comment, directing inquiries back to Moteane’s office, stating they are “not a competent authority” on the matter.
Moteane hinted at a potential resolution, saying: “These issues are being addressed and will conclude once Parliament makes its recommendation.”
The investigation continues as scrutiny mounts over the high-profile airport project.
Moteane surrenders himself to a probe following Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report earlier this yearon the rehabilitation of Moshoeshoe I Airport, in which they round traces of corruption and recommended Moteane’s ouster as a beneficiary of the alleged corruption.
At the heart of the controversy that has sucked Moteane in is the award of a portion of the lucrative tender-valued at M184 million to Khatleli Tomane Architects (PTY) LTD, a company Moteane co-founded.
The PAC further recommend the immediate cancellation of the contract and suggested a re-tendering process under an open international competitive process, and that a “disciplinary action should be taken against the Principal Secretary, Deputy Principal Secretary, and Director of BDS, and they should be dismissed.”
“The police or Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) should further investigate the procurement process of the tender to ascertain the criminality and/or corrupt practice and proceed with court cases. • Immediate removal of the Minister of Public Works and Transport for conflict of interest and alleged misconduct. • Strengthening procurement oversight to prevent similar occurrences in future government projects,” the PAC report reads.
Records from the One-Stop Business Facilitation Centre in the Ministry of Trade corroborate Moteane’s resignation claim from Khatleli Tomane Architects, indicating that he was a shareholder until November 1, 2022.
The firm, previously known as HMH Chartered Architects and Planners and later Khatleli Tomane Moteane Architects, underscores his past involvement.
The PAC has, however, felt that the feature of Khatleli Tomane with its trading name, Khatleli Tomane Moteane Architects, in the tender award elicited that the minister’s name was obvious and could not be ignored despite the explanation of his 2022 resignation “…especially with two members of the evaluation team mentioning that it was an oversight that they could not recognise the tax clearance was written as such.”
Since controversy surrounded the Moshoeshoe I Airport contract, the PAC has interrogated the works ministry’s principal secretary, Tšepang Koele, and other ministry officials about the tender process. Koele’s failure to provide satisfactory answers led to her arrest, along with other officials.
PAC chairperson, ‘Machabana Lemphane Letsie, emphasised the importance of transparency to the officials, invoking the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act to highlight the legal obligations of those appearing before the committee.
“The public deserves transparency,” Lemphane Letsie declared, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations and the potential implications for governance and accountability.
Meanwhile, when asked about the drama around the botched construction of the Royal Palace which puts all the blame for the misappropriated millions on his ministry’s doorstep, an angry Moteane refused to entertain the question.
“You conveniently want to bring the construction of the Royal Palace into our discussion,” he said.
Last week the auditor general released an audit report on the construction of the new royal palace in Maseru, Lesotho, in which she flagged mismanagement and overpayment of suppliers and architects for the project, which has not been completed.
The minister told this reporter further that it was unjust to call him outside working hours, especially regarding issues raised.
“I may not take your call again…there’s one newspaper where every time there’s talk of corruption they put my picture, even when the story has nothing to do with me.
Go find a photo of the first person who was minister of public works when the project started.”
Curiously, Moteane asked what this reporter was going to write and insisted on seeing the article before it was published: “Send it to me so that I can view it.”
“There’s a tendency from you guys to misrepresent us, it’s a reasonable request. Let me see what you have written so that I can fix it. If your editor is not willing to share the story before it’s published, then we shall not be doing these conversations. You or your editor will be liable for misrepresentation. I am tired. You do it intentionally for the narrative you want to push.”
