MASERU
A borehole drilling project worth more than M82,000 has turned into a bitter dispute after a Maseru family accused Tsoana-Makhulo Member of Parliament Teboho Notsi of using his political status to intimidate mediators instead of resolving complaints about the work done by his company.
The controversy centres on Notsi Electrical (PTY) LTD, a Teyateyaneng-based borehole drilling company owned and managed by Notsi.
According to information provided to Lesotho Tribune, the company was contracted in October 2024by a Mazenod resident seeking borehole drilling services at a property in Ha-Jimisi.
Quotation and Site Inspection
The client says Notsi personally handled early communications and later provided a quotation covering the drilling and installation of the borehole system.
Before work could begin, the contractor requested a surveillance fee to conduct a site inspection. The terms were later renegotiated so that the inspection would be done first and the fee paid afterwards.
Notsi reportedly visited the site alone to assess the location and marked what he said was the most suitable spot for drilling. The surveillance fee was then paid in full.
Project Handed to Foreman
Months later, when the project was expected to begin, the client says Notsi became difficult to reach.
When communication eventually resumed, the MP allegedly informed the client that the project would now be handled by the company’s foreman.
According to the client, the foreman admitted he was not fully knowledgeable about certain aspects of the company’s operations, but assured the client that the team could complete the project within a week.
The foreman then requested M82,400 upfront for borehole drilling costs.
After further negotiations, the client agreed to pay the amount in phases.
Payments Made
Records seen by Lesotho Tribune indicate the following payments were made:
Despite the payments, the project quickly began experiencing delays.
The contractor allegedly cited bad weather and mechanical problems as reasons for repeated postponements.
Borehole Location Changed
When work eventually began, the client says the drilling location was changed without her consent, despite the site having been previously inspected by Notsi.
A witness present during construction told Lesotho Tribune that workers discussed concerns that the original drilling point might run beneath latrine pipes, prompting them to shift the drilling site.
The client claims she was not consulted about the change.
During installation, workers allegedly made faulty pipe connections, which were reportedly left unrepaired.
Only Five Litres of Water
After more than three weeks, the project was declared complete.
However, the results were far from satisfactory.
The client says that even after allowing the borehole to rest for 48 hours, it produced only about five litres of water, far below what had been expected.
The water that did emerge was described as muddy and inconsistent.
Repeated attempts to reach Notsi to address the problems reportedly went unanswered.
Police Mediation
Frustrated by the lack of response, the client says they sought assistance from the local police station, where a station manager attempted to mediate the dispute.
It was during this mediation effort that the situation allegedly escalated.
According to the client, Notsi responded by asserting his political status and warning the mediator against interfering in the matter.
The client claims the MP told the mediator they were “biting the hand that feeds them” by getting involved.
Party Intervention Attempted
Because the dispute had taken on a political dimension, the client says they were advised to seek assistance from the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) Secretary-General.
Following that intervention, Notsi reportedly contacted the client and agreed to a meeting.
However, the client claims the meeting did not result in a resolution.
Instead, the MP allegedly repeatedly invoked his position as a Member of Parliament, which the client interpreted as intimidation.
Refund Refused
During the meeting, the client requested a refund of the M82,400 drilling fee, arguing that the borehole had failed.
Notsi reportedly rejected the request but instead proposed re-drilling the borehole.
Since that meeting, the client says the MP has only returned once to re-survey the site and has not taken further action to fix the problem.
Family Left Without Water
At the centre of the dispute is a family that had hoped the borehole would provide reliable access to water at their home.
Instead, they say they are left with a poorly functioning borehole and unresolved questions about the money paid.
MP Yet to Respond
Lesotho Tribune attempted to contact Teboho Notsi for comment.
He had not responded to requests for his side of the story by the time of publication.
