…targeting DMA housing tenders
…as one suspect is arrested, investigations continue
Mathatisi Sebusi
THE Disaster Management Authority (DMA), together with the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), is investigating alleged fraud linked to tenders for the construction of houses for vulnerable citizens.
This was revealed by DMA Chief Executive Officer, Reatile Elias, in an interview with the Sunday Express yesterday.
The DMA is a government body responsible for formulating policies, coordinating and implementing measures for disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response to both natural and man-made disasters. Among its duties is rebuilding homes for families who have lost their houses to disasters such as heavy rainfall.
Mr Elias said preliminary information indicated that an individual, whose name he could not disclose due to ongoing investigations, had been contacting contractors who tendered for DMA housing projects, demanding bribes and promising them that they would be awarded tenders.
He said suspicions were that the individual was working with DMA officers, adding that ongoing investigations would reveal the true picture.
“This surprised me because the names of contractors who have tendered are confidential,” Mr Elias said.
“We are not sure how the person obtained the information. However, although the information is confidential, before we build houses we go across the country and, in each district, invite contractors to the site and register them. At the site, we record their names and particulars.
“This suggests that the information could either have been leaked by one of the DMA officials, or that the culprit accessed this confidential office information during site visits, possibly by pretending to be one of the contractors,” he said.
Mr Elias further explained that three contractors had approached the DMA to report the fraud, after which the matter was reported to the police and a trap was set.
“One contractor came to our office reporting that a person, whose name he had recorded, took his money with the promise that he would be awarded a tender. We were surprised and informed him that we do not have such a person at the DMA.
“We then engaged the police and a trap was set to catch this person. One of the contractors contacted the suspect, pretending to agree to pay the demanded bribe. They agreed to meet at a filling station in Ha Thetsane,” he said.
Mr Elias said the names and contact details of the culprit were recorded and that the suspect was believed to be a man. However, to their surprise, the trap led to the arrest of a female security guard from one of the schools in the area.
He said the woman claimed she knew nothing about the fraud and alleged that she had only been sent to collect the money.
The woman was arrested by police on Tuesday and is assisting with investigations.
Mr Elias said they believed the police would thoroughly investigate the case and charge everyone involved.
“The police will also come to the DMA to investigate. They are welcome to come to my office and investigate this matter to its finality so that proper action is taken.”
He further stressed that DMA officials are fully aware that the authority takes confidentiality very seriously.
“We constantly stress the importance of not leaking confidential information. However, lately, civil servants have been leaking confidential office information even when explicitly warned not to,” he said.
Mr Elias added that, to prevent the leaking of DMA’s confidential information, the authority works closely with the police and the army, who are seconded to the DMA.
“Some are placed at the DMA as part of the staff, but their primary role is to remain vigilant and ensure that no illegal activities are taking place within the authority.”
Contacted for comment, police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli, said he was not aware of the case but promised to follow it up.