Mohale FM THE Maseru City Council (MCC) is facing a possible M27 million legal battle after attempting to revisit a contract it had already awarded and signed for the rehabilitation and stabilisation of the Tšosane dumpsite and development of the alternative Tšoeneng sanitary landfill project.
At the centre of the dispute is consulting firm SSL Joint Venture (SSL JV), which says MCC’s latest move to question the legality of the agreement amounts to an unlawful attempt to walk away from a binding contract.
The conflict was triggered by a letter dated 9 June 2026, signed by Acting Town Clerk, Moea Makhakhe, in which MCC informed SSL JV that concerns had emerged over whether the agreement exceeded the Council’s financial jurisdiction.
The letter was written in reference to the contract for the design and supervision of the Tšosane dumpsite stabilisation and rehabilitation, and Tšoeneng sanitary landfill design and long-term environmental design project.
“Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the contract above that we signed with you is way above the Maseru City Council monetary ceiling/jurisdiction on works of this nature. That, by reason thereof, means that the contract may very well be illegal or unlawful,” Mr Makhakhe wrote.
The Council further invited SSL JV to submit written representations before it reached a final position on the matter.
The company says it subsequently entered negotiations with MCC in which detailed discussions were held on pricing and implementation.
In response, SSL JV, through its legal representatives, Tharollo Chambers, rejected MCC’s position and warned of imminent litigation if the Council attempts to terminate the agreement.
