FREE STATE - Money recovered during an investigation into cross-border crime involving Lesotho and South Africa will be secured in the care of the state while awaiting finalisation of the fraud and money laundering case. On 20 July 2023, the Free State High Court issued a preservation order in connection with over R400 000 in cash.
It is alleged that, during 2021, a group of South Africans, working in cahoots with counterparts in Lesotho, intercepted Lesotho Government's payment vouchers which were meant for Lesotho-based service providers. They fraudulently increased the amounts on the vouchers, bought properties and vehicles, and stashed cash in their bank accounts. Their criminal activities were suddenly brought to a halt by Lesotho Mounted Police Service who alerted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks). Several South African company directors are being probed and arrests expected.
Free State Head of the Hawks, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has commended all police and prosecution units involved.