Maseru — When Lesotho tech firm EngiData first visited Police Headquarters in 2019, they were not greeted by sleek servers or computer screens but by stacks of thick paper books, handwritten records of every spotfine issued across shifts. According to Neo Kolobe, Managing Director at EngiData, that moment sparked a revolutionary idea.
“We were told there was no money to digitize the process,” Kolobe recalled. “But we showed them that the money was right there in those books. The unpaid fines themselves could fund the technology.”
That vision became eSpotfine, a homegrown system that has not only digitized how Lesotho’s police manage traffic fines but has now drawn international attention.
This week, a high-powered Namibian delegation arrived in Maseru to study both the eSpotfine and the Traffic Case Management Systems, both developed by EngiData and implemented by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS). The visiting team includes senior representatives from the Namibian National Police, the National Road Safety Council, the Prosecution Office, the Judiciary, and the Municipal Police.
Their visit marks a proud moment for Lesotho, now being recognised as a leader in digital law enforcement across Southern Africa.
The System That Changed Everything
Senior Inspector Moeketsi Mahetlane, a key figure in the Automated Traffic Justice System within LMPS’s IT Department, said the journey began between August and September 2019. “That is when the eSpotfine was successfully introduced,” he explained. “From that moment, the traffic department started living its dream of operating in a technologically advanced era.”
Funded by the Road Fund and powered by EngiData’s design, eSpotfine has become one of the most efficient and transparent traffic enforcement systems in the region. It allows officers to issue fines electronically, track offenders in real time, and link payments directly to the justice system, cutting out the delays and leakages that plagued the manual system.
“This system has changed how we work,” Mahetlane said. “We can now hold people accountable, trace those who fail to comply, and maintain proper digital records. For years, we dreamed of this system but financial constraints stood in our way.”
Regional Recognition
EngiData’s innovation first caught regional attention when Botswana’s law enforcement officialsvisited Lesotho in May 2022 to study the system. This week’s Namibian visit builds on that growing interest.
On Thursday, the Namibian delegation visited traffic police roadblocks around Maseru, the Pitso Ground Police Station, and several eSpotfine payment points. They observed how real time data collection and automation have reduced human error and improved accountability. Later in the day, the group met with officials from the Ministry of Law and the Judiciary to understand how the system integrates with court and prosecution workflows.
Tomorrow, the team will meet with system developers, the Road Fund, and transport regulators to explore how similar models could be adapted in Namibia.
Protecting Innovation and Preserving Security
While the visitors were given hands-on exposure to the system, the LMPS was careful not to reveal sensitive operational details. The IT and traffic departments maintained strict confidentiality to ensure no security breaches occurred.
Even so, the guests were impressed by the system’s sophistication and the professionalism of the Lesotho team. “The visits have given our officers a sense of pride,” said Mahetlane. “It motivates us to work even harder and continue raising the bar.”
A Basotho Solution with Global Potential
For EngiData, the Namibian visit is not just a validation of technical excellence but a celebration of Basotho ingenuity. “This system was built by Basotho for Basotho,” said Kolobe. “And now, it is inspiring others beyond our borders.”
In a continent where digital transformation is often outsourced, EngiData’s achievement stands as proof that homegrown innovation can solve complex public sector challenges.
As one LMPS officer put it, “What we have achieved with eSpotfine is proof that African solutions can come from within Africa. We are proud that Lesotho is setting the pace.”
With EngiData’s innovation now under the regional spotlight, Lesotho is not just catching up with the digital age; it is helping define it.
