Maseru, Aug. 14 — The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) does not have prosecuting powers, and law enforcement agencies have a responsibility to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice where investigations reveal possible breaches of the law, PAC Chairperson Dr Ts’eliso Moroke has said.
Speaking in an interview, Dr Moroke said this followed public concern over alleged misuse of public funds by some civil servants, with some critics describing PAC as a “toothless dog” for failing to take action against alleged perpetrators.
He said PAC’s main responsibilities included examining reports of the Auditor General, and promoting transparency, good governance and accountability in the management of public funds.
Dr Moroke stressed that PAC was not a law enforcement body and therefore could not prosecute people suspected of committing criminal offences.
He said once Parliament had completed its work and possible criminal offences had been identified, Basotho should direct their concerns to law enforcement agencies such as the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS).
He said such cases should be opened and investigated further, and where sufficient evidence was found, suspects should be taken to court.
Dr Moroke encouraged the public to continue demanding accountability from government whenever they were dissatisfied with the management of public resources.
He said it was time for PAC to consider establishing a memorandum of understanding with the LMPS and DCEO to strengthen cooperation and ensure that people responsible for wrongdoing were held accountable.
Meanwhile, PAC’s recent meetings with the management of Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital, aimed at examining the hospital’s operations and financial management, exposed alleged mismanagement of hospital funds and improper recruitment of some employees.
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