Naleli distances itself from murder scandal

Mohloai Mpesi

Naleli Funeral Planner has distanced itself from the brutal killing of its staff members and the subsequent arrest of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thabiso Maliba.

The company’s chief financial officer, Ikhetheng Matabane, and finance manager, ‘Maserema ‘Makong, were gunned down while having dinner at a restaurant in Maseru on February 10 this year.

Maliba, who was suspended in September last year, amid allegations of misconduct, was on last Wednesday charged with the murder of Matabane and ‘Makong.

He had handed himself over to the police last Monday.

“As Naleli Funeral Planner our suspended CEO, Mr Thabiso Maliba, appeared before the court charged with the murder of our chief financial officer Ikhetheleng Matabane and finance manager Maserama Mmakong. As the management of the company we despise this act,” the chairperson of the board of directors, Malefetsane Tlelima, said last Wednesday.

“We are determined to work with different institutions and courts of law to assist on these murders so that justice will be served. We understand that our clients are frustrated about these happenings and so are we,” Tlelima added.

He assured the company’s clients that their deposits were in safe hands.

“We guarantee our clients and Basotho at large that their money is safe and in safe hands. Our business has a clear governance structure,” he said.

Tlelima was addressing the media at the company’s head office at the Thetsane Office Park in Maseru. He was flanked by the acting CEO, Mosoeu Mabote.

He added: “According to our knowledge as Naleli, there is no connection between the suspension of the CEO and the killings of our staff members. We would like to leave all to the courts of law.”

He said the company suspended Maliba pending the finalisation of an internal investigation which he indicated was ongoing.

“We have hired independent forensic investigators to verify whether those allegations are correct so that we can take the corrective action against the CEO. We have a clear process of dealing with internal issues,” he said.