Water project ex-MD, partner charged with graft

The former managing director of a company involved in the multibillion rand Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and his business partner have been charged with fraud and money laundering. They appeared in the Maseru Magistrate's Court last week, reports GroundUp. Moeketsi Williams, who headed SMEC at the time of the fraud, and his business partner, Mabohlokoa Chaka, face four criminal charges for allegedly using their joint venture – Green Energy Logistics and Consulting (Pty) Ltd – to allegedly orchestrate the fraud. A Lesotho Highlands Water Project contract was awarded in August 2016 to Plan Tech-SM JV – a partnership between SMEC and SA’s Plan Tech – for professional services related to the design, construction and supervision of bulk power supply and telecommunications for phase two of the LHWP. Both Plan Tech and SMEC were to share in the assets and payments from the project. According to the charge sheet, the fraud widened when payments for services rendered to Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) were found to be misdirected. Instead of SMEC receiving its rightful share from the joint account of Plan Tech-SM JV, Williams allegedly instructed that the money be transferred to Green Energy’s Nedbank account. These transfers led to two counts of fraud. The case subsequently widened into money laundering charges. Williams, who was relieved of his position as SMEC director in August 2024, but still retains 150 of the company’s 1 000 shares, appeared alongside Chaka before Magistrate Lebusa Tšosane last Thursday. The magistrate approved bail, setting it at M10 000 ($565) each, with an additional surety of M100 000 ($5 651) each. The case has been adjourned until September.