Former Women in Law Southern Africa (WILSA) Programmes Director, Mamosa Mohlabula-Nokoana, has appeared before the Maseru Magistrates’ Court on charges of corruption and money laundering involving more than M5.6 million.
WILSA is a regional network of non-governmental organisations that advocates for the socio-economic, political, and legal empowerment of women and children. The organisation operates in Lesotho, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe through research, legal reform advocacy, and community-based programmes addressing issues such as gender inequality, inheritance, and gender-based violence.
According to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), Ms Mohlabula-Nokoana and former WILSA Executive Director Libakiso Matlho allegedly siphoned M5,613,110.10from the organisation’s accounts between 2016 and 2022.
Crown Counsel Advocate Willy Makamane, appearing for the DCEO, told Magistrate Thabang Tapole that the accused carried out multiple illegal transactions from WILSA’s bank accounts for personal enrichment. Ms Matlho, however, was not present in court. The Crown informed the bench that she is still abroad and that efforts are underway to facilitate her return to face trial.
The two are charged under section 25(1)(a)(b)(c) read with section 25(4) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crimes Act No. 4 of 2008 (as amended).
Court documents show that the pair allegedly channelled WILSA funds through online transfers amounting to M1,078,542.05, cheque deposits totalling M2,471,568.05, and cash withdrawals of M1,548,000.00. They also reportedly sold a WILSA-funded property for M515,000.00 in an attempt to disguise the source of the funds.
On the second count of corruption, they are accused of violating section 21(3) of the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 5 of 1999 (as amended), read with section 26(1) of the Penal Code Act 2010. The charge alleges that the two misappropriated or diverted WILSA funds that had been entrusted to them by virtue of their positions. Should the corruption and money-laundering charges fail, the DCEO is pursuing an alternative count of theft.
Advocate Qhalehang Letsika, appearing for Ms Mohlabula-Nokoana, applied for bail, proposing a M3,000 cash deposit, a M50,000 surety in movable or immovable property, and an undertaking that his client would attend trial and not interfere with witnesses. The Crown did not oppose the application, and Magistrate Tapole granted bail on those terms.
The court further ordered the Crown to expedite Ms Matlho’s return or consider separating the trials to avoid further delays. The case was postponed to 12 November 2025 for remand.
This court appearance comes two weeks after the DCEO successfully applied for an order by Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane to freeze Ms Mohlabula-Nokoana’s Nedbank account (No. 91000002327) and preserve her Masowe III property (Plot No. 12314-034) pending the outcome of the case.
