Minister of Law and Justice Richard Ramoeletsi has criticised Kenyan publications for what he described as unfair and unprofessional reporting after they linked him to a 22-year-old man detained in Kenya over an alleged mobile money fraud case.
Ramoeletsi said the reports were published without first seeking his comment, a lapse he said amounted to a disservice to him as a public office bearer. He also criticised Newsday for republishing the story for local readers without first giving him an opportunity to respond.
While rejecting the manner in which the story was handled, Ramoeletsi did not dispute the existence of a family relationship with the suspect, Samuel Ngungi Hlutwa. He clarified, however, that Hlutwa is his brother’s grandson, not his own, and accused the Kenyan publications of deliberately targeting him because of his prominence as a public figure.
The minister further explained that Hlutwa’s father is Peter Hlutwa, a businessman of Kenyan origin based in Maseru, and said it was the father who took the young man to Kenya for his studies.
When contacted yesterday, Peter Hlutwa said he was not ready to comment publicly on the matter before ending the call. He did not deny that Samuel is his son.
The remarks come amid reports from Kenyan media that Samuel Ngungi Hlutwa, described as “the grandson of Lesotho’s Minister for Law and Justice”, was arrested last week and is being held at Athi River Police Station in connection with an alleged mobile money fraud involving about Sh60,000 (about M7,500).
According to Kenyan police, the case stems from a complaint by a woman who reported that money was transferred from her account after she received a call from an unknown person. Investigators traced the transaction to a phone number registered to a woman believed to be associated with Hlutwa, who has since gone missing.
Police then examined the mobile phone used in the transaction and, through its IMEI number, established that the device had changed hands and was now in Hlutwa’s possession, leading to his arrest.
Further questions arose over Hlutwa’s identity and nationality. He was reportedly born in Lesotho to a Kenyan father and a Mosotho mother and holds dual citizenship. He moved to Kenya in 2022 to study aviation.
However, when booked at Athi River Police Station, police records reportedly listed him only as a Kenyan Kikuyu male, without indicating his foreign nationality.
The omission, according to Kenyan media, initially caused confusion, with separate inquiries reportedly launched into the disappearance of a foreign national. His identity and dual citizenship were only clarified after relatives traced him to the police station.
Hlutwa appeared before a Kenyan court on Monday, 19 January, where police applied for a seven-day detention order to allow further investigations. The magistrate granted the request, citing concerns that he may have acted in concert with the missing female suspect. He is under investigation for obtaining money by false pretences and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Athi River Sub-County Police Commander David Kandie said the suspect did not disclose his foreign citizenship at the time of arrest, adding that police would act in accordance with court directions as investigations continue.
Separately, Ramoeletsi has reportedly alleged that police officers demanded money in exchange for Hlutwa’s release. The allegation has not been publicly responded to by Kenyan police and remains unverified.
Hlutwa remains in custody, with the matter expected to return to court next week.
Summary
- Minister of Law and Justice Richard Ramoeletsi has criticised Kenyan publications for what he described as unfair and unprofessional reporting after they linked him to a 22-year-old man detained in Kenya over an alleged mobile money fraud case.
- The minister further explained that Hlutwa's father is Peter Hlutwa, a businessman of Kenyan origin based in Maseru, and said it was the father who took the young man to Kenya for his studies.
- The remarks come amid reports from Kenyan media that Samuel Ngungi Hlutwa, described as “the grandson of Lesotho's Minister for Law and Justice”, was arrested last week and is being held at Athi River Police Station in connection with an alleged mobile money fraud involving about Sh60,000 (about M7,500).
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.
