A prominent National University of Lesotho (NUL) scientist, Professor Mosotho George, appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court this week where he was formally charged with corruption and fraud.
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) alleges that Prof George abused confidential information he accessed as a member of the NUL Innovation Hub Committee to benefit his private company, Orbitals (Pty) Ltd.
According to the DCEO, George was privy to sensitive information relating to competitive seed funding provided by the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) programme to support business start-ups. He is accused of using that information to influence the awarding of funding to his own company, which allegedly received about M129,000.
The charge sheet states that George is charged under section 28(1) read with section 34 of the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences Act No. 5 of 1999, as amended by sections 14 and 20 of the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences Act No. 5 of 2006.
It alleges that in or around 2023, at or near the National University of Lesotho in Maseru, Prof George unlawfully and intentionally committed an act of corruption by having a direct or indirect interest in Orbitals (Pty) Ltd, a company which the NUL Innovation Hub, through CAFI funding, proposed to support. He is accused of failing to disclose his interest in the company while participating in the decision-making process that led to his business being nominated for and awarded the funding.
“In doing so, the accused knowingly failed to disclose the nature of his interest and participated in the proceedings of the NUL Innovation Hub relating to CAFI funding, thus contravening the provisions of the Act,” reads the charge sheet.
George is also charged under section 68(1) read with section 109 of the Penal Code Act No. 6 of 2012. The DCEO alleges that he acted unlawfully and with intent to defraud by engaging another individual, Reitumetse Khoabane, to present a business proposal for Orbitals (Pty) Ltd to the NUL Innovation Hub and CAFI, while concealing the fact that he was the founder and shareholder of the company.
According to the prosecution, George was required to declare a conflict of interest by disclosing his ownership of Orbitals (Pty) Ltd to both the NUL Innovation Hub and CAFI. The awarding of the M129,000 seed funding is said to have been to the detriment of both institutions.
In 2024, this publication reported that the NUL Innovation Hub was under investigation by the DCEO over alleged mismanagement of funds. At the centre of those investigations was the possible mismanagement of M1.9 million received from CAFI in 2023 to incubate business start-ups.
George has been granted bail of M15,000, which the DCEO did not oppose. In motivating for bail, his lawyer, Advocate Tebelo Putsoane, told the court that the accused is a lecturer at NUL, is unlikely to abscond, has school-going children and is a family man. The court further ordered him to secure a surety of M50,000.
The matter is before Magistrate Nkhethoa Molapo and is being prosecuted by Advocate ’Mampepuoa Mofoka. Prof George has been remanded to 27 January 2026.
The case continues.
Summary
- It alleges that in or around 2023, at or near the National University of Lesotho in Maseru, Prof George unlawfully and intentionally committed an act of corruption by having a direct or indirect interest in Orbitals (Pty) Ltd, a company which the NUL Innovation Hub, through CAFI funding, proposed to support.
- “In doing so, the accused knowingly failed to disclose the nature of his interest and participated in the proceedings of the NUL Innovation Hub relating to CAFI funding, thus contravening the provisions of the Act,” reads the charge sheet.
- The DCEO alleges that he acted unlawfully and with intent to defraud by engaging another individual, Reitumetse Khoabane, to present a business proposal for Orbitals (Pty) Ltd to the NUL Innovation Hub and CAFI, while concealing the fact that he was the founder and shareholder of the company.
Thoboloko Ntšonyane is a dedicated journalist who has contributed to various publications. He focuses on parliament, climate change, human rights, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), health, business and court reports. His work inspires change, triggers dialogue and also promote transparency in a society.
