Directorate On Corruption and Economic Offences - DCEO, Lesotho

09/06/2026

02/06/2026

DCEO Concludes Three-Day Retreat for District Anti-Corruption Committees

TEYA-TEYANENG, 29 May 2026 – The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) has successfully concluded a three-day workshop retreat for members of District Anti-Corruption Committees (DACCs), aimed at assessing their progress, achievements, and challenges in the fight against corruption over the past two years.

The retreat provided a platform for DACC members from across the country to reflect on their performance and evaluate the implementation of their activity plans while strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders. The committees comprise representatives from various government ministries and departments identified as corruption-prone sectors.
To encourage excellence and commitment among the committees, the DCEO also recognized outstanding performance by awarding certificates to the best-performing districts during the retreat. The certificates were presented as a form of motivation and appreciation for the districts' dedication to implementing anti-corruption initiatives and promoting ethical conduct within their areas of operation.

28/05/2026

DCEO Facilitates Systems Integrity Committee Workshop to Promote Transparency and Accountability

27 May 2026
Maseru – The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) yesterday hosted a one-day workshop for members of the Systems Integrity Committees (SICs) from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology and Innovation (MICSTI) in Maseru.
The workshop aimed to re-engage committee members on the terms of reference of the Systems Integrity Committees, develop activity plans, and enhance understanding of the reporting template and its completion. The session also focused on logistical preparations for the official launch of the committees once the activity plans have been finalized and approved.
In his opening remarks, the Director General of the DCEO, Advocate Brigadier General Mants’o Sello, emphasized the critical role of active stakeholder participation in the fight against corruption and the promotion of integrity. He noted that the DCEO cannot effectively combat corruption without collective support and collaboration from all sectors.
Referring to Lesotho’s score of 37 percent on the Corruption Perceptions Index, where the country ranks 99th out of 182 countries, Advocate Brigadier General Sello urged participants to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability within their respective institutions.
Delivering the closing remarks, the Deputy Director General: Administration, Mr. Litelu Ramokhoro, commended the representatives from both ministries for their active participation throughout the workshop. He further encouraged them to remain committed to promoting integrity and accountability in the public sector to enhance public confidence both nationally and internationally.
The workshop concluded with agreements on reporting timelines and launch preparations as part of the way forward, alongside renewed commitments by stakeholders to strengthen the effectiveness and sustainability of the Systems Integrity Committees.

27/05/2026

29/04/2026

MOHALE'S HOEK - The DCEO has secured a conviction at Mohale's hoek Magistrate court on Monday 27 April 2026. An assistant accountant in the Ministry of Finance, Pensions Unit, Mapapali Seitlheko of Upper Thamae Maseru has been convicted of theft of public funds and money laundering. Seitlheko was responsible for disbursing pension funds to elderly beneficiaries, and it was revealed that after completing payments she failed to return the remaining amount of M54,700.00 to the government purse. After investigations and lengthy court process, she was sentenced to M12, 000.00 or 10 years imprisonment on count one and M3000.00 or 2 years imprisonment on count two and they run consecutively.

Consequently, Seitlheko was found guilty of contravening Section 59(b) and (c), read with Section 109 of the Penal Code Act of 2010, as well as Section 25(1) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act of 2008. For this reasons, she failed to pay a fine and faced 12 years imprisonment.The case was heard before Magistrate Kakapa Tau.

16/04/2026

Qacha's Nek, 16th April 2026- The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) has launched a public sensitisation campaign aimed at strengthening community awareness and engagement in the fight against corruption across Qacha's Nek district. The five-day initiative which was funded by EU,officially began on Monday, 13th April targeting at least 12 villages and is set to conclude on Friday,17th April 2026.
Through a combination of village-level gatherings and town roadshows, the campaign seeks to maximize public outreach and encourage citizens to play active role in reporting and preventing corruption.