Berea, Aug 04—The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) has strongly issued a stern warning to communities under Ha-Majara Principal Chief in Berea district to refrain from buying services with bribe or engaging into shady deals.
This unfolded during the DCEO public education campaign staged at Ha-Majara Principal Chief offices at Maqhaka on Tuesday where it highlighted that corruption is an organized crime which is not only found in offices, but it also prevails at the community level.
When addressing members of the community, from DCEO office of Public Education and Corruption Prevention, Mrs. Matieli Mosebo pointed out that community members have a tendency of flashing their hard earned money on buying services or paying bribe from people who are in power.
Mrs. Mosebo indicated that lately the urban settlements are stretching towards Maqhaka at an alarming rate, citing that social media platforms are flooded with people selling residential sites which sometimes are not even existing, while some people always manipulate Chiefs and Community Councillors in bid to be assisted with fraudulent documents proofing them as rightful owners of such land.
“Defrauding people their money in exchange for land is common to the places facing urbanization, and as a result Chiefs and Community Councilors are pushed aware into the centre of such corrupt practices by people who are always flashing their money unnecessarily”, she highlighted.
Additionally, Mrs. Mosebo highlighted that old age pension or social grants for vulnerable children is yet another issues which have triggered a public outcry whereby Chiefs, Community Councilors and other stakeholders get involved in authenticating documents proofing some people to be liable of such benefits only because they want to defraud the government.
“Despite the raging poverty and hunger, people are not supposed to acquire some means of living illegally by increasing their age so that can prematurely qualify for pension, or to cheat Area Chiefs by encouraging them to write letters endorsing them to be the rightful person to earn a pension on behalf of an elderly person”, she explained.
Mrs. Mosebo further said favouritism or nepotism is yet another limiting factor affecting development in country whereby people are side lined from being hired only because they are not favoured by a person in power.
“We have embarked on awareness campaigns with the aim to encourage you to stand united against corruption”, she said.
As for the civil service, Mrs. Mosebo indicated that there is a lot shady deals whereby funds are misdirected from the intended purposes, hence the need to report any suspicious incidences.
She highlighted that services have collapsed in most sectors due to corruption, pot holes have made road to become unmovable, lack of respect and becoming pompous is a common scene where people are corrupt.
Ha-Majara Principal Chieftainess, Mamolapo Majara commended DCEO for taking a bold move through its public education initiative on the issues of corruption, citing that their place is becoming more congested with urban areas stretching to places under Maseru City Council, whereas they are governed at Ha-Majara.
Therefore, Chieftainess Mamolapo urged DCEO to make a quick return by targeting Mabote and Khubetsoana, Marabeng and Foso respectively on the days they are yet to establish so that they cannot be left behind in terms of information.
Also approached for a comment, one of the community members Mr. Pita Mohlouoa said they are very delighted about DCEO for shedding a light upon them, highlighting that they are now clear about the elements of corruption.
Mr. Mohlouoa said although some families are quite informed, while others are proactive in processing legal documents like wills, the issue of property grabbing and people who enrich themselves with properties which does not belong to them remains a serious challenge living some families more vulnerable.
Ha-Majara have 34 chiefs and nine Area Chiefs which includes Mapeleng-Ha Mabote, Kubetsoana, Sekamaneng, Foso, Lovely Rock, Mokhethoaneng Ha-Tumo and Ha-Sebolai, Qopo and Maqhaka
Ends/RM
