…29 disgruntled customers seek police, DCEO intervention
Moorosi Tsiane
A property brokerage and brick-selling company, Nketu Makhaola Property Consultancy, has found itself at the centre of a massive land scam scandal, with its owner, Lelingoana Pule, accused of defrauding dozens of Basotho through the sale of plots that never legally belonged to the company.
What was once seen as a trusted land brokerage has now been exposed as a real estate con, leaving shattered hopes, empty pockets, and growing anger among victims.
The Lesotho Times has established that 29 alleged victims have formed a WhatsApp group to collectively pursue justice and recover their money. Some have already lodged complaints with the police, while others — based as far as South Africa — are struggling to file in-person reports at Police Headquarters in Maseru, where the case is being handled.
One of the victims, Kabelo Hlao, says he bought a site in Sehlabeng, Berea, from Nketu Makhaola Brokers in 2024 for M25,000, only to discover later that not only had someone else built a greenhouse on the same land, but that the original owner, Tšeliso ’Meko, had cut ties with Mr Pule long ago.
“My site markings were gone, and when I called Pule, he claimed it was a mistake. Later, I found a full structure and a borehole on the land. That’s when I realised something was seriously wrong,” said a visibly frustrated Mr Hlao.
He explained that each time he called to follow up, he received a different answer, until the company eventually stopped taking his calls. In June, he decided to visit their office personally, where he met the owner, who allegedly promised to refund his money within four months. Mr Hlao, however, requested repayment within a month.
“We agreed that I would come back with witnesses because I could see that they were up to no good. We wrote the agreement on 1 July that they would refund my money by 31 July 2025, but that never happened. I tried calling again, but my calls were ignored. I went to their offices once more, met with the owner, and had a squabble that led to me being thrown out of the company yard.
“The police tried to call him, but he did not answer. I was advised to report the matter at Police Headquarters, which I did. He was called, and this time he picked up. We set a date to meet at the police station. When the date arrived, he told the police I was hurrying him while he was preparing my documents. He promised to give feedback on Monday because we had met on Friday, but he never did. Again, he kept throwing me from pillar to post,” said Mr Hlao.
He eventually sought out the real landowner, Mr ’Meko, who confirmed that he was no longer working with Nketu Makhaola because they had failed to honour their deal.
“I found the owner, and fortunately, he told me they had an agreement with Nketu Makhaola to sell the land, but he never received the money, so he terminated that agreement. He said it was the first time he had heard that people had bought that land. Mr ’Meko even called Pule and put him on loudspeaker, asking about us, but Pule blatantly denied ever selling us the land. Mr ’Meko asked him to come and discuss the matter, but Pule said he could not come because he had been involved in a car accident,” Mr Hlao recounted.
Mr Hlao’s story is far from unique, as multiple victims have now come forward with shockingly similar accounts.
Thabang Molibeli, based in South Africa, said he paid M20,000 in August 2024 for a plot and was promised legal documents within three months. A year later, he says he has only received excuses and dodged calls.
“Eventually, they gave me a bogus contract saying they wouldn’t be liable if anything happened on the site. How can you sell me land and then say you’re not responsible for it?” asked Mr Molibeli angrily.
Tšepo Lukase paid M12,000 for his site in November 2023 and says he’s been strung along for nearly a year, now being told to pay an additional M300 for a phantom survey that never occurred.
Mamosa Matela said she was sold land adjacent to Mr Hlao’s for M25,000. After months of silence and shifting stories, she discovered a greenhouse near her site. Even worse, the supposed seller, Mr ’Meko, had no idea the land was still being sold and had severed ties with Mr Pule due to unpaid agreements.
“Pule admitted over the phone that some of his employees had scammed people, but now he’s refusing to take any responsibility. We were sold dreams, not land,” said a furious Ms Matela.
In a dramatic confrontation, Mr ’Meko called Mr Pule in the presence of victims and put him on loudspeaker — only for Pule to deny ever selling them the land.
Victims say that once payment is made, communication stops. Calls go unanswered, and excuses range from accidents to backlogs at the Land Administration Authority (LAA). In some cases, Pule allegedly blamed internal issues or denied any sale took place.
Sehlabeng Councillor, Mphethe Morakabi, confirmed that he tried to mediate directly with Pule, even calling him during council meetings, but to no avail.
“Because this is now a criminal matter, I advised those who complain to open a case with the police. We tried to mediate but failed, and now it is beyond us. One lady even bought five plots, so you can imagine how bad that is,” said Mr Morakabi.
Pule’s version
Despite mounting allegations, Mr Pule maintains his innocence, describing the accusations as a “smear campaign” and threatening legal action against the complainants.
Mr Pule confirmed that he had indeed denied knowing Mr Hlao to Mr ’Meko, explaining that the latter had alleged he (Pule) was the one who sold the plot.
“I do not sell sites personally; my company is the one that sells sites. So indeed, I denied knowing them because ntate ’Meko refused to tell me their names, and they had claimed that I was the one who personally sold them the site. The sites are sold by my company, not me,” Mr Pule said.
“In our deed of sale agreements, we have agreed with all clients that should anything happen, the company will take responsibility. However, if a delay is caused by a third party beyond our control, that does not result in the termination of the contract.”
He further admitted that there is a greenhouse structure on the disputed site but blamed it on the recklessness of the landowner, Mr ’Meko. He claimed the issue had already been resolved, saying the affected buyers had been allocated new plots.
“The agreement also states that if the problem is beyond our control, we can relocate buyers to other available properties — and we have done that. Even if they visit tomorrow, their sites are waiting for them near the greenhouse.
“Our agreement with Ntate ’Meko had initially lapsed due to his actions in selling land we already had an agreement over, but we have since signed a new agreement allowing us to continue selling,” he said.
Regarding Messrs Lukase and Molibeli, Mr Pule said they only needed to be patient while he works to ensure they receive their leases for the land they purchased.
“I have explained to them how these things are progressing. They are just not patient, but we remain willing to help them obtain their papers. They can come to our offices anytime for assistance.
“For Lukase, I had to postpone the surveying of his site because I was hospitalised after being involved in a car accident.”
He also denied ever receiving a call from Mr Morakabi.
“I do not remember ever getting a call from him, unless it was around September, because that was when I was still hospitalised.”
LMPS/DCEO
Victims have now filed complaints at Mabote Police Station and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), prompting investigations into potential land fraud, misrepresentation, and theft by deception. Mabote police have since moved the case to Police Headquarters where it is now being handled.
DCEO spokesperson, ‘Matlhokomelo Senoko, could not confirm or deny the matter but said she would follow up.
Lesotho Mounted Police Service spokesperson Senior Superintendent, Mpiti Mopeli, confirmed that investigations have already begun:
“There is such a matter reported at the police, and investigations have already started,” said SSP Mopeli.