…over alleged M3.3 million vending scam
Hopolang Mokhopi
FORMER Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) Sales Agent Officer, Tlotliso Bereng, appeared before the Maseru Magistrates’ Court again yesterday, this time facing charges of allegedly defrauding the power utility of more than M3.3 million.
The M3 361 630 is part of the alleged M81 million electricity vending fraud scheme that Bereng is accused of orchestrating since 2015.
In mid-May this year, the 50-year-old Bereng appeared before the same court alongside Nthabiseng Sofe (59), Mapota Letlela (30), Malethosa Ramothello and Muso Mosa (41), facing charges of jointly defrauding the LEC of M26 168 198.96.
He was subsequently slapped with an additional charge in June over the alleged theft of M122 350 from the LEC in connection with Mafeteng-based company, Five Star Temo.
The M26.1 million, M122 350 and M3 361 630 represent only a fraction of the alleged M81.7 million loss, with investigators expected to bring additional charges against more suspects as investigations continue. Authorities believe several other sales agents also benefited from the scheme.
According to highly placed sources, Bereng allegedly worked with about nine sales agents and companies, illegally loading electricity units for them through the now-defunct postpaid vending system at the LEC’s expense.
LEC has also secured commitments from two companies to repay more than M3.7 million which also forms part of the M81.7 million.
In the latest development, Bereng appeared before Magistrate Itumeleng Letsika, with Crown Prosecutor Adv Tšenoli leading the prosecution, while he was represented by Adv Mathe Lerotholi.
According to the charge sheet, “on or about the period from 2015 to October 2025, the accused unlawfully and intentionally stole property belonging to a public office by manipulating the LEC vending system, adding and removing sales agents from the system, particularly fully fledged agencies, and selling electricity without limit. As a result, an amount of M3 361 630 collected from such sales was not paid into the LEC account but was instead used for his personal benefit.”
Adv Lerotholi applied for Bereng’s release on bail, telling the court that he was a Mosotho family man with a wife and two children, aged 17 and 22, who were still in school.
She said although Bereng was unemployed, he remained the family’s breadwinner and his continued detention would cause hardship to his dependents.
“He is not a flight risk and has been cooperating with police investigations,” Adv Lerotholi submitted.
The Crown did not oppose bail but urged the court to consider the seriousness of the allegations should Bereng ultimately be convicted.
“We pray that he be granted bail of M10 000 with surety of M50 000,” Adv Tšenoli said.
She further informed the court that investigations were complete, save for a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) regarding another suspect who is expected to be joined to the matter.
Magistrate Letsika granted Bereng bail of M1000 with a surety of M50 000 on condition that he does not interfere with police investigations or witnesses and attends all remand hearings.
