Lesotho Millennium Development Agency (LMDA) has blacklisted 25 companies that were found to be involved in corruption and collusive practices.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LMDA Keketso Chalatse said his organisation was designated by Lesotho government to manage implementation of health facilities maintenance programme. He said the main purpose of the programme was to ensure sustainability of the health systems and infrastructure that were developed and financed under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact.
“LMDA has recently received reports that concerned alleged acts of corruption. It had been reported that some service providers engaged in acts of corruption and had allegedly connived with some LMDA employees. To date, the LMDA has blacklisted a total of 25 companies that were found to have been involvement in corrupt and collusive practices. The said number comprises 15 companies that were blacklisted in the 2018/2019 financial year. In the previous financial year 10 companies were blacklisted,” said Chalatse in a statement.
He said LMDA reported the alleged acts to the law enforcement agencies for investigation that would lead to criminal prosecution. And employees were reported to have been involved, internal investigations were conducted. Chalatse added that in March 2019 LMDA management had to put aside two employees so that the investigations can be conducted in a proper manner.
He said that the internal investigations would take about six weeks and that the suspension of two employees did mean that they were guilty of any crime. Chalatse further added that it was the standard procedure to conduct internal investigations until they were concluded to suspend someone who is suspected of a crime.
“LMDA will provide information from time to time on the progress and eventual outcome when all the investigation processes have been completed. LMDA will continue to take strong measures to uproot corruption and collusion in the conduct of its services. At the same time LMDA will take measures to promote good governance in its operations,” he said.
Chalatse said people who have suspected of a crime would appear in the court in due course to face the full might of the law.
