THE matter in which the managing director of Maru-a-pula Mining & Construction (PTY) LTD, Ketso Ketso is accused of tax evasion could not continue in the High Court last week as defence counsel was unable to make an appearance due to ill health.

The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) took the case to court and accused the mining boss of contravening the provisions of the Income Tax Act No.9 of 1993 in that he failed to pay income tax for the financial years 2013/2014 and 2015/2016.

The anti-corruption body laid charges against Ketso and his company in 2017.

It is alleged that the then-acting Chief Executive Officer of the Disaster Management Authority (DMA), ’Makhotso Mohasi received bribes from Marula-a-pula and other companies in order to fast-track their payments.

The DCEO among other things, wants Mohasi to return the money she allegedly received as a bribe.

The respondents in the matter include the DCEO, Standard Lesotho Bank, the Maseru Magistrate’s Court, and the Attorney General.

In her defence, Mohasi told the court how the DCEO forced her to admit that Ketso bribed her to accelerate his payments.

Following the DCEO investigations that ensued, Ketso’s bank accounts held at Standard Lesotho Bank were frozen.

Ketso consequently filed an application in the High Court, challenging the freezing of his accounts.

He argued that his company had legitimately won the M9 million tender to construct the road from Tšifa-li-mali to ’Malesaoana in Leribe.

This was after the contractors were requested to submit their bids for the construction of roads and bridges that had been destroyed due to heavy rainfalls in 2021.

“Due to the urgent need to have such roads and bridges repaired, contractors were advised that Cabinet had taken a resolution to involve DMA since this was a national crisis,” Ketso noted.