…over alleged cash siphoning scheme that prejudiced the disabled
Moorosi Tsiane
THREE former senior officials of the Lesotho National League of Visually Impaired Persons (LNLVIP) have been dragged before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court, accused of orchestrating a brazen two-year scheme that allegedly siphoned nearly M1 million from an organisation meant to serve some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
Former LNLVIP accountant Cecelia Rahlao, former secretary general Mabataung Khetsi and former treasurer Tlalane Lebusa on Friday appeared before Magistrate Thabang Tapole, to face six counts of fraud, corruption and theft before admitting them to bail.
LNLVIP is an advocacy organization for the blind and partially sighted people. It advocates for equal opportunities, provides support services, and works to remove societal barriers.
The trio is accused by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) of acting in concert to unlawfully embezzle a total of M966 650 between October 2021 and December 2023.
According to preliminary findings presented by the DCEO, the accused allegedly effected unauthorised cash withdrawals amounting to M140 440 from one of the league’s Standard Lesotho Bank accounts and used the money for their personal benefit.
In a separate transaction, the three are alleged to have again worked together to withdraw M92 930 from another LNLVIP Standard Lesotho Bank account, which prosecutors say was also diverted for their personal use.
The largest alleged fraudulent withdrawal involves a further M729 280, which the DCEO says was taken from a third LNLVIP account held with Standard Lesotho Bank.
The DCEO alleges that through these transactions, the accused abused their positions of trust within the organisation, effectively bleeding the league of funds intended to support visually impaired persons across the country.
The three face charges of corruption, with the DCEO further pleading that should the corruption charges fail, the court should alternatively convict them of theft.
They are also charged with fraud for allegedly making false representations to Standard Lesotho Bank by claiming they were authorised to conduct over-the-counter cash withdrawals on behalf of LNLVIP. The DCEO maintains that at the time, the LNLVIP had a standing practice of refraining from over-the-counter cash withdrawals as a risk-mitigation measure.
The DCEO argues that these alleged misrepresentations induced the bank to release the funds, resulting in substantial financial loss to the league.
Following the reading of the charges, the accused, through their legal representatives, applied to be released on bail.
Advocate (Adv) ‘Mole Khumalo, representing Ms Rahlao, told the court that his client is the primary caregiver to her 78-year-old blind mother, who has also suffered a stroke and is diabetic.
“Your Lordship, my client is looking after her elderly mother who is blind, diabetic and has suffered a stroke. There is no other relative who can care for her should the accused be remanded in custody,” Adv Khumalo submitted.
He further argued that Ms Rahlao has cooperated with investigators since the probe began in 2021 and therefore poses no flight risk.
“She has a fixed place of abode in Lesotho, owns a house and a car, and no longer works. She survives through rental income from her mother’s property. These factors constitute exceptional circumstances warranting her admission to bail,” he said.
Adv Lepeli Molapo, appearing for both Ms Khetsi and Ms Lebusa, also told the court that his clients had fully cooperated with investigators since the inception of the probe.
Adv Molapo questioned the timing of the arrests, suggesting there may be ulterior motives linked to internal LNLVIP politics. He told the court that Ms Khetsi was allegedly targeted to prevent her from contesting leadership elections for the league scheduled for Saturday.
“The association holds elections annually in January. In 2024, when Ms Khetsi sought to contest, the matter was reported to the DCEO and the police by a rival contender. She was even suspended, but we successfully challenged that suspension in court,” he said.
He added that Ms Khetsi had been questioned repeatedly throughout 2024 and 2025, and that her arrest just days before the elections raised serious concerns.
“We suspect foul play intended to block her participation in the elections,” Adv Molapo argued.
He told the court that Ms Khetsi is a widow with a permanent home in Masowe, where she lives with her daughter and minor children.
“Due to her visual impairment, she requires constant support and is unlikely to abscond. She is permanently employed at Econet and is pensionable, giving her no incentive to flee.”
Turning to Ms Lebusa, Adv Molapo said she is a single parent, currently unemployed, and has also cooperated fully with investigators.
He claimed that Ms Lebusa had initially been promised accomplice-witness status by the DCEO, but was later charged after investigators allegedly failed to obtain the evidence they expected from her.
“She was led to believe she would be an accomplice witness. It appears that when investigators did not get what they anticipated, she was instead joined as an accused,” Adv Molapo told the court.
The DCEO, represented by Adv Liate Mpakanyane, strongly opposed the bail applications, arguing that the seriousness of the charges and the potential custodial sentences posed a real risk of flight.
“We oppose bail. The accused face serious charges of corruption and fraud, which attract custodial sentences under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. The severity of these offences increases the likelihood that they may abscond,” Adv Mpakanyane submitted.
She argued that cooperation with investigators did not guarantee that the accused would attend trial, especially now that investigations have been concluded.
“The matter is trial-ready, and on the next remand date we intend to apply for trial dates.”
After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate Tapole adjourned the matter to consider his ruling. When court resumed after lunch, he granted bail to all three accused.
Each was ordered to pay M4000 as a cash bail deposit and to provide a surety of M30 000, pending further proceedings.