MASERU-The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offence (DCEO) has swooped on business man Kabelo Tiheli the Thari Funeral Home owner,who allegedly swindled the government of about M5, 5 million between 2021 and 2023.
Tiheli stood before Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Murenzi and whacked with two charges of fraud and corruption. According to the charge sheet, the 32-year -old made an untrue representation to Disaster Management Authority (DMA) officials in relation to body bags which were used for Covid-19 deaths. He is guilty of the crime of fraud in a form of covering quoting.
It is stated that the real price of the body bags was M300 000.00.However, Tiheli charged the government M5 897 600.00, thus increasing the price by M5 597, 000.00. Tiheli was further charged with corruption for paying a M800 000.00 bribe to the now deceased DMA former chief executive officer, ‘Makhotso Mahosi for awarding him the contract for the procurement of body bags.
The charge sheet read, “In that upon or about the period between April 2021 and 2023 and at or near DMA premises in, Maseru in Maseru district, Tiheli did give or agree to offer any benefit to the then public officer, (the late ‘Makhotso Mahosi) money to the amount of M800 000.00 as an inducement or reward for giving him a contract for procurement of body bags, the accused is guilty of committing the crime of corruption.”
After the charges were stated to him, Tiheli applied for bail and he was permitted to M5 000.00 bail deposit and was ordered to find to find an independent person to stand him security with an immovable property amounting to M30 000.00. He was then remanded to 16th July 2024 with other bail conditions that he does not interfere with state witnesses and that he attends remands.
