Hopolang Mokhopi
A Ministry of Forestry employee has appeared before the Mafeteng Magistrate’s Court accused of pocketing M73 000 by allegedly renting out government-owned houses for personal gain.
Mosiuoa Ntabe appeared before Magistrate Nkoebe Ramabele this past week where he was formally charged with fraud.
According to the charge sheet, Ntabe is accused of abusing his position as a public officer between May 2021 and October 2025 by unlawfully leasing out the government houses located at Ha Qaba in Mafeteng.
The DCEO alleges that Ntabe intentionally violated provisions of the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences (PCEO) Act to secure an undue advantage for himself.
The charge sheet states that Ntabe, while employed by the Ministry of Forestry, allegedly leased out ministry-owned houses without authorisation and personally benefited to the tune of M73 000.
“…In that upon or about May 2021 to October 2025 and at or near Ha Qaba Mafeteng in the district of Mafeteng, the said accused intentionally abused the functions or position of his office, in the performance, in violation with the stated law (PCEO Act) for the purpose of obtaining an undue advantage for himself. To wit: The accused let out houses belonging to the Ministry of Forestry at Ha Qaba for personal gain amounting to M73,000.00 thereby contravened the said Act.”
Magistrate Ramabele released Ntabe on M3000 bail and a surety of M30 000. The matter was postponed to 30 June 2026 for set down.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, a 44-year-old Masianokeng businesswoman, Matšoanelo Nkoefoshe, has been charged with allegedly defrauding the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nkoefoshe appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Lebusa Tšosane, with DCEO prosecutor, Attorney Mojalefa Shakhane, handling the matter.
According to court papers, the government established the National COVID-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC) in 2020 to coordinate the country’s response to the pandemic.
According to the chargesheet, Nkoefoshe fraudulently secured a government contract to supply dry food rations by submitting borrowed business documents and falsely presenting multiple business entities as independent competitors.
The charge sheet further alleges that the fraudulent procurement process resulted in her receiving M283 500 from government funds — money prosecutors say would not have been paid had authorities known the true facts.
She also faces a money laundering charge.
According to the chargesheet, Nkoefoshe intentionally concealed the true nature of the procurement process through the use of borrowed business profiles, enabling her to unlawfully benefit from emergency Covid-19 procurement measures.
A third charge accuses her of misrepresenting her business credentials by submitting another company’s profile in violation of licensing and registration laws.
Defence lawyer Advocate Souru Malabulabu applied for bail, arguing that his client had cooperated fully with investigators throughout the case.
“She is a businesswoman who owns one of the major shops in Masianokeng. She is married and has three children aged 21, 16 and eight,” Adv Malabulabu told the court.
He argued that Nkoefoshe was not a flight risk and intended to stand trial until the matter was concluded.
The defence requested that she be released on her own recognisance (free bail).
However, Mr Shakhane opposed unconditional release, arguing that the matter attracted significant public interest and involved serious allegations.
He proposed a cash bail deposit of M10 000 should bail be granted.
Magistrate Tšosane questioned the lengthy delay in bringing the matter to court, noting that the alleged offences occurred in 2020.
“What have the police been doing all along?” the magistrate asked, also noting that the accused had voluntarily cooperated with investigators over the years.
Mr Shakhane acknowledged that Nkoefoshe had consistently made herself available whenever required during investigations.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Tšosane granted bail of M3000 with a M10 000 surety.
Nkoefoshe will reappear before the same court on 30 June 2026.