MP to repay proceeds from alleged graft scheme

A member of the Lesotho Parliament has agreed to repay M6m ($37 1097) from an allegedly corrupt scheme involving the supply of fertilisers, seeds and pesticides to the Ministry of Agriculture, according to the country’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO). Jane Lekunya, from the opposition Democratic Congress, has agreed to co-operate with prosecutors in the M109m ($673 9753) case, involving private companies and Ministry officials linked to the fraudulent award of the tenders, reports GroundUp. This comes after Lekunya challenged the DCEO’s attempt in March 2025 to prosecute him for fraud, corruption and money laundering. According to court documents, senior Agriculture Ministry officials bypassed competitive bidding procedures to award tenders to companies linked to local businessman Moeketsi Ntaote. The tender prices were inflated to create room for illicit payments. The Lesotho Government provides an 80% subsidy to farmers on fertilisers and a 70% subsidy on seeds, pesticides and herbicides to boost food production. The DCEO said Ntaote obtained several of the tenders through procurement manager Mapaseka Nkone, with the assistance of former principal secretary Nchakha Makara. After securing the tenders, Ntaote transferred money to Lekunya, who then passed funds to Nkone and other alleged accomplices, the DCEO said. Advocate Christopher Lephuthing, who represented Lekunya, said his client has ‘never been formally charged in the criminal case'. DCEO spokesperson Matlhokomelo Senoko said it had decided to pursue an asset recovery case alongside the criminal proceedings to recover public funds more quickly because of the length of time criminal cases can take to conclude. Senoko said Lekunya appeared before the High Court of Lesotho last Monday.