The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) held a sensitization workshop for Heads of Departments from various ministries and members of the private sector in Mokhotlong on 25 February 2026. Opening the workshop, the DCEO Director General, Advocate Brigadier Mants’o Sello, stated that the purpose of the engagement was to sensitize stakeholders in the northern region about the newly established DCEO offices in Butha-Buthe. He encouraged participants to make full use of the new office by reporting any corrupt activities.
Advocate Sello expressed concern about Lesotho’s performance on the Corruption Perceptions Index, noting that the country is ranked 99th with a score of 37%. “This does not look good at all. I therefore urge each one of you to be fed up with corruption this year. Let us join forces within our ministries and support the DCEO in the fight against corruption. We cannot win this battle alone as an institution, we need your support as the public,” he said. On behalf of the attendees, Mr. Teboho Mahemu expressed appreciation to the DCEO for organizing what he described as a fruitful workshop and for delivering a powerful and inspiring message. He pledged that going forward, they will report incidents of corruption.
“As members of the public, we have often felt demoralized. Even when we knew or witnessed acts of corruption, we were reluctant to report them because suspects sometimes walk free,” he said. Mr. Mahemu further noted that society appears to be operating on a “survival of the fittest” basis, where the rich continue to get richer while the poor remain disadvantaged, and corruption remains prevalent.