…seizes property in alleged M2 million embezzlement and money laundering scandal
Moorosi Tsiane
THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) is pursuing two former Women in Law Southern Africa–Lesotho (WILSA) executives for allegedly embezzling more than M2 million from the non-governmental organization (NGO).
Former Executive Director, Libakiso Matlho, and former Programmes Director Mamosa Mohlabula-Nokoana are accused of embezzling M2 million plus from the organisation through fraudulent and corrupt means, and laundering part of the funds to acquire property and personal assets.
On Thursday, the anti-corruption body successfully convinced Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane to grant a preservation order freezing account number 91000002327 held at Nedbank Lesotho and preserving Residential Plot Number 12314-034 at Masowe III, belonging to Ms Mohlabula-Nokoana.
Justice Sakoane further ordered that the plot be placed under the control of the DCEO’s Asset Management Office until forfeiture proceedings are completed.
The DCEO had approached the court through Advocate Boitumelo Motlamelle on an ex parte basis (EXPLAIN WHAT THIS MEANS N BRACKeTS …..), explaining that the agency had received a tip-off that Ms Mohlabula-Nokoana and Ms Matlho were suspected of embezzlement and money laundering at WILSA.
“Investigations revealed that WILSA operated eight Nedbank Lesotho accounts—021000017156, 021000017148, 021000067307, 021000080516, 021000087413, 11990094340, 11990094359, 021000017137 and 022000083708. These were designated for donor-funded projects, operational expenses, legal revenue, staff terminal benefits and surplus income. Both Matlho and Mohlabula-Nokoana were signatories to all of them,” the DCEO argued.
Adv Motlamelle said the investigation uncovered a litany of financial activities performed by both Ms Mohlabula-Nokoana and Ms Matlho.
“The probe uncovered questionable financial activities linked to WILSA’s Ha Thetsane office construction project. Mohlabula-Nokoana is alleged to have paid one Mr Thoahlane an amount of M500,000 for labour on the project, although the construction was never completed. The site, registered as Plot No. 12293-621, initially belonged to Khauta and Mahopolang Tsolo before being transferred in January 2017 to Rethabile Nokana and Mamosa Mohlabula-Nokoana, and later sold in September 2019 to Mathuso Ramaqele for M515,000. Despite claims that the property was sold, the proceeds did not reflect in any of WILSA’s accounts.
“Instead, the DCEO discovered regular cash withdrawals made by Matlho and Mohlabula-Nokoana, sometimes fortnightly and even on weekends. Further analysis revealed that monthly cheques were issued from WILSA’s savings accounts in favour of both Matlho and Mohlabula-Nokoana and deposited into their personal Nedbank accounts — Matlho’s being 91000001234 and Mohlabula-Nokoana’s 91000002327.
“The DCEO found that between 2016 and 2021, Mohlabula-Nokoana had deposited M1,968,823.35 into her Nedbank account, funds which were never accounted for in WILSA’s records. On 20 September 2017, her account showed a suspicious credit balance of M457,237.02, which investigators linked to illicit cheque deposits. Shortly afterwards, on 26 September 2017, she secured a home loan facility of M2,100,000 from Nedbank, which was disbursed on 29 September 2017. On the same day, a M2,600,000 debit was made in favour of Sigma Construction for the purchase of the Masowe III property, Plot No. 12314-034.
“The DCEO argued that the M410,000 difference between the loan and the payment comprised proceeds of crime, thereby tainting the property.”
Although the facility was structured for 228 months with monthly repayments of M21,846.48, Mohlabula-Nokoana’s salary deposits amounted only to M17,931.41, less than the monthly obligation. Yet she consistently serviced the loan, which the DCEO said was financed with illicit funds diverted from WILSA.
“Investigators revealed a pattern where cheque credits were deposited into her account shortly before each repayment. For instance, on 20 October 2017, the account was credited with M28,318.95, followed by a loan repayment of M21,846.48 on 25 October.
“On 20 November, a credit of M29,118.95 was deposited, followed by another repayment of M21,846.48 on 22 November. On 14 December, M33,658.33 was credited and repaid with the same loan amount on 27 December. A similar transaction followed in January 2018.
“According to the DCEO, this pattern persisted consistently at least until 2023, proving that the facility was financed with proceeds of corruption, fraud, embezzlement and money laundering,” said the DCEO.
“As of 26 August 2025, Nedbank confirmed that Mohlabula-Nokoana’s outstanding loan balance stood at M2,449,657.53 out of the overall M4,945,000 facility extended to her. The DCEO therefore argued that her interest in the Masowe III property was acquired and financed through unlawful means and should be preserved with ultimate forfeiture to the State, subject to the exclusion of Nedbank’s lawful interest.”
The DCEO therefore pleaded with the court to grant an order to freeze the said account and place Ms Mohlabula-Nokoana’s Masowe III Residential Plot under its Assets Management Office.
In his ruling, Justice Sakoane granted the preservation order, stating:
“An order is granted preserving and prohibiting any interested persons, or any other persons, from disposing or otherwise dealing with, hampering, dissipating, interfering with, offering as further security for any debt, attaching or selling in execution, diminishing the value of, or dealing in any other manner with the immovable property described as Residential Plot Number 12314-034, which is situated at Masowe III, Maseru Urban Area.
“An order is granted that account number 91000002327 held at Nedbank Lesotho be frozen until the final determination of the forfeiture order, and that all credit in the account be held in the said account at Nedbank Lesotho.”