By Neo Kolane
The government is investigating fraud involving about M54 million which went missing from the consolidated fund in 2021/22.
Auditor general, ‘Mathabo Makenete, in her audit consolidated financial report for the year ended March 31 2023, says the money was allegedly misappropriated by finance ministry staffers in September 2021.
The matter was reported by the Accountant General to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) under case number Maseru RCI 56/09/2021.
A joint team of law enforcement agencies was then established to investigate the matter, Makenete said.
“M18 million of the estimated M54 million has been recovered from South Africa and taken back into government coffers,” she noted.
She added that treasury is charged with enhancing and strengthening public financial management laws and enforcing internal controls.
“To ensure this is a success, the LMPS has dedicated a team which works with the treasury to enforce compliance,” Makenete indicated.
