Mobile network company Vodacom Lesotho hosted a high-level compliance forum this week, bringing together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to tackle pressing issues related to business ethics, regulatory compliance, and the collective fight against corruption.
The forum served as a platform for peer-to-peer learning and the exchange of strategies to promote ethical conduct and implement effective compliance frameworks across various sectors.
Vodacom Lesotho CEO, Mohale Ralebitso, highlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to integrity, noting that ethical business practices are fundamental to building and sustaining trust with stakeholders.
“Our commitment to the highest ethical standards is the bedrock of our operations. This is not merely about ticking compliance boxes – it is a strategic imperative that guides how we conduct business, ensuring every transaction is rooted in integrity,” he said.
He indicated that this commitment is reflected in Vodacom’s zero-tolerance policy to bribery and corruption, along with stringent measures to protect customer privacy and data.
Ralebitso also stressed that maintaining a solid ethical framework is key to managing risk and ensuring sustainable, long-term success.
Vodacom Lesotho’s Executive Head of Legal and Compliance, Rethabile Hoohlo, underscored the strategic importance of a compliance-driven culture.
“At Vodacom, compliance is more than meeting regulatory obligations; it is a core strategic asset that underpins our organisational integrity and safeguards our brand and reputation,” she said.
“Through collaborative effort and knowledge sharing, we can foster a compliance environment that not only meets, but exceeds expectations,” she added.
Representing the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), Principal Public Education Officer Khauhelo Maliehe urged both citizens and businesses to report corrupt activities. She explained that corruption, in its many forms – including bribery, fraud, and embezzlement – poses a serious threat to economic development.
“Corruption is a grave misuse of power and resources, and its impact undermines not just businesses, but the prosperity of the nation as a whole,” she said.
Mabereng Mokhotho, Compliance Manager at Vodacom Lesotho, reiterated the company’s firm stance against corruption.
“Our employees and representatives are strictly prohibited from offering, promising, or giving anything of value to influence decisions improperly,” Mokhotho stated.
She added that Vodacom mandates the registration of gifts, conducts thorough due diligence on sponsored entities, and holds mandatory internal training to reinforce a strong culture of anti-corruption and adherence to company policies.
The seminar concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to collectively uphold ethical standards and create a business environment where transparency, accountability, and trust are non-negotiable.
