Mohale FM 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.
DMA Chief Executive Officer, Reatile Elias, revealed that 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 manmade 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.
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.
