ALTHOUGH the Director General of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) has concluded that the corruption case against former finance minister, Dr ’Mamphono Khaketla is not watertight, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), however insists on taking over the matter.

The High Court heard this on Thursday when the trial was postponed to allow both the DPP and the DCEO to decide on the next step of action, after it emerged that one of the key witnesses in the case had died and the remaining witnesses had turned hostile against the prosecution.

Khaketla is charged along with Maseru businessman Thabo Napo for allegedly attempting to solicit a M4 million bribe from representatives of the Lebelonyane Fleet Solutions Joint Venture (JV) on March 17, 2016.

Both Khaketla and Napo were released on bail.

It is alleged that the bribe was to persuade Khaketla to use her position as a cabinet minister to ensure that the company was awarded a contract to provide fleet services to the government.

But the defense opposed the postponement, arguing that it is ready to proceed with the matter.

It however, warned that if the prosecution was unable to proceed, charges against the accused should consequently be withdrawn.