The Department of Agricultural Research is in shock following allegations that a former official embezzled over M770,000 from a donor-funded account, triggering charges of fraud, forgery, and theft.
Bulara Qhobane, 48, of Khubetsoana, Berea, is accused of defrauding the Regional Research Programme Bank Account of M774,811.00 between 2021 and 2023 while serving as Assistant Finance Officer.
According to court documents seen by Newsday, the bank account, held at Standard Lesotho Bank (Account No. 9080000050195), manages contributions from various donors and development partners to support collaborative agricultural research projects.
The alleged fraud surfaced when Dr. Lefulesele Lebesa, suspecting financial irregularities, tasked newly appointed Assistant Finance Officer Nthabiseng Phalatse with conducting a thorough review of the account. Phalatse’s investigation reportedly revealed numerous unauthorised withdrawals with no supporting documentation, including missing payment vouchers.
Initial findings suggest that Qhobane withdrew at least M575,000.00, although the total amount under suspicion is M774,811.00.
The charges against Qhobane detail a scheme involving alleged forgery.
It is claimed that he signed false payment requests as if he were a legitimate signatory to the Research Bank Account.
He then allegedly submitted these documents, bearing forged signatures, to Standard Lesotho Bank, with the intention of fraudulently obtaining funds from the Department of Agricultural Research.
The primary charge against Qhobane is Contravening Section 68 (1) read with Sections 26 (1) and 109 of the Penal Code Act 6/2010, which pertains to fraud.
The prosecution alleges that Qhobane intentionally made false representations to Standard Lesotho Bank by submitting unauthorised withdrawal requests.
The bank, acting on these representations, allegedly released the substantial sum of M774,811.00 to the detriment of the Regional Research Programme Bank Account.
Alternatively, Qhobane faces a charge of Contravening Section 58 (1) read with Section 109 of the Penal Code Act No.6 of 2010, related to theft.
This charge stems from the discovery that the aforementioned sum was withdrawn and remains unaccounted for, with all withdrawals allegedly executed by Qhobane at the Standard Lesotho Bank account.
Further details from the court documents reveal the established procedure for withdrawals from the Research Programme Account.
Phalatse outlined this process, highlighting the alleged deviation from protocol in the questioned transactions.
Crucially, the investigation uncovered discrepancies involving the signatures required for withdrawals.
Sebuoeng Lerotholi, a former signatory to the Research Programme Account who had since transferred to the Ministry of Justice, has denied that a signature on the withdrawal requests belongs to her.
Similarly, Bataung Kunene, the Chief Research Crops and another signatory, recognised a signature resembling his own on the requests but believes it to be a forgery.
He also corroborated that Lerotholi was no longer with the Ministry of Agriculture at the time some of the requests were made.
Litsebe Mofoka, Director of Finance at the Ministry of Agriculture and a signatory to the account, explained the official procedures for authorising withdrawals.
He also identified signatures similar to his own and that of Lerotholi on the requests, neither of which he believes to be genuine. He further supported the timeline indicating Lerotholi’s departure from the Ministry.
Given these findings, the court documents indicate that the signatures of Lerotholi, Kunene, and Mofoka are suspected to be forged. Their handwritten samples have been submitted to a handwriting expert to determine the authenticity of the signatures on the withdrawal requests.
Qhobane has been granted bail set at M5,000, with an additional surety of M400,000 secured against immovable property.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
