Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) Member of Parliament for Thaba-Moea No. 73, Lejone Puseletso, has been formally charged with fraud, accused of orchestrating a land scam that allegedly swindled multiple individuals out of hundreds of thousands of maloti.
Puseletso appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, facing charges under Section 109 of the Penal Code Act No. 8 of 2010 and Section 83(1)(a)(b)(c) of the Land Act. The charges stem from alleged criminal conduct committed between January 2021, before he became a lawmaker, and March 2024.
According to court documents, Puseletso is accused of selling parcels of land he did not legally own, allegedly deceiving five different buyers into purchasing the same site at Ha-Makhoathi, despite lacking a valid Form C (the legal document that proves land ownership).
The charge sheet outlines that the 46-year-old MP sold the disputed plot to, Julius Mashale for M50,000, Lijeng Rapoli for M25,000, ‘Mamohau Rosalia Ntlatlapo for M45,000, ‘Mamoeti Sello for M45,000, and Lebohang Shale for M75,000.
In total, he allegedly pocketed M380,000 from the fraudulent sales.
“In that upon or about the 29th day of October 2021, at or near Ha-Makhoathi in the district of Maseru, the said accused unlawfully and with intent to defraud made a false statement orally and in writing that he had a piece of land at Ha-Makhoathi and sold it for M25,000.00. As a result of this misrepresentation, Lijeng Rapoli paid the stated amount,” reads part of the charge sheet.
The alleged scam extended beyond individual buyers. Puseletso is also accused of defrauding Light of Life International Ministries and its representative, Dingaan Peter Mokonyana, of M140,000.
The fraudulent transaction reportedly took place between 16 September 2021 and 31 January 2022 for a site at Khubelu, Ha-Abia.
Pleading for bail on his behalf, his lawyer, Advocate M.V. Tšoeu, argued that he is not a flight risk. Advocate Tšoeu emphasised that, as a sitting MP, he is committed to standing trial. He also highlighted that the accused’s wife currently works in Ireland, and he has children studying at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) and Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP). Additionally, he cares for his ailing mother and a handicapped brother.
The court granted bail set at M3,000 for each charge and imposed sureties of M20,000 and M30,000 respectively.
Puseletso is scheduled to make another court appearance on 5th August. The case was heard before Magistrate Itumeleng Letsika and prosecuted by Tsietsi Hlaele.
He is not the only RFP lawmaker under a legal cloud. Peka No. 17 MP, Mohopoli Monokoane, is facing separate corruption charges related to a controversial fertilizer transportation tender.
