Moorosi Tsiane
TWO directors of Green Energy Logistics and Consulting (Pty) Ltd have been hauled before the Magistrate’s Court accused of defrauding SM Consulting Engineers (SMEC) of more than M4 million.
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) arraigned Moeketsi Williams of Thetsane West and Mabohlokoa Itumeleng Chaka of Khubetsoana, Berea, before Magistrate Lebusa Tšosane on Thursday this week.
They face charges of fraud and money laundering.
Both were released on bail on condition they each pay M10 000 and provide surety worth M100 000.
According to DCEO investigations, SMEC, whose managing director is Mr Williams, entered a joint venture with South African firm Plan Tech, specialists in electrical engineering solutions.
The partnership, named Plan Tech-SM JV, was contracted by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) for bulk power and communications works under the Phase II project.
Under the agreement, assets acquired during the project were to be split between the two companies, with SMEC allocated a Nissan Almera.
However, the charge sheet alleges that instead of transferring the vehicle to SMEC, Mr Williams diverted it to Green Energy — a company he co-owns with Ms Chaka but which had no link to the joint venture and was therefore not entitled to any of its benefits.
The DCEO further alleges that after LHDA made payments for services rendered, Mr Williams instructed Plan Tech-SM JV to pay funds meant for SMEC directly into Green Energy’s account.
On 13 December 2023, M517 500 was allegedly transferred from the joint venture’s account into Green Energy’s account, followed by another M4 075 503.09 transfer on 15 April 2024.
The pair now face four counts, including fraud and money laundering.
“. . . the said accused, sharing a common purpose and intention to pursue an unlawful act together . . . did make a false representation or concealed from another a fact which in the circumstances accused 1 (Williams) had a duty to reveal . . . representing to the Plan Tech-SM JV officers that SMEC had authorised payment of invoices due to it to be paid into Green Energy’s account . . . whereas SMEC had not authorised such payment. . . ” reads part of the charge sheet.
The money laundering counts allege that the accused “unlawfully and intentionally acquired, possessed or used property; converted or transferred property with the aim of disguising or concealing the illicit origin . . .” — including transferring M2 499 977.26 into Central Bank of Lesotho treasury bonds, knowing or suspecting the funds were derived from fraud.
After the charges were read, defence lawyer, Attorney Monaheng Rasekoai, successfully applied for bail, with Crown counsel Advocate Mamongonyo Bassie not opposing.
Magistrate Tšosane granted bail under the set conditions, with the matter scheduled to return to court on 25 August 2025.