INTELLIGENCE AND REPORT CENTRE
Intelligence Division is one of DCEO’s operational divisions.
Functions of the Intelligence and Report Centre are:
1. To receive and analyze reports alleging corruption and its related offences.
2. Conduct preliminary investigations in those cases that need development for in-depth investigations.
3. To disseminate reported allegations of corruption accordingly;
a) Those that fall under DCEO mandate are referred to Investigation Division for in-depth investigations.
b) Those that do not fall under DCEO mandate are referred to the relevant institutions for administrative action.
c) Advise is given to the reporter on what action to take if the report does not fall within the two above-mentioned scenarios.
4. Carry out background checks (vetting of applicants) for some DCEO officials before they are appointed to certain public functions, depending on the level of clearance required and the type of office to be occupied.
5. Undertake surveillance operations and act as support staff to Investigation division.
HOW TO LODGE A REPORT TO DCEO
1. Personally: Walk in to DCEO offices and request to make a report, you will be directed to the office in charge of receipt of reports.
2. Telephonically: (a) Make a call to DCEO switchboard line at (+266) 22 219200 and request to make a report, you will be directed to the relevant office.
(b) You can also send an SMS to the following number: (+266) 63619782 and outline your allegation of corruption.
(c) You can even send a WhatsApp message to the same number (+266) 63619782 and make your report of corruption.
3. Through a letter (in Sesotho or English): You can write a letter with your full details if you want to identify yourself or just write without disclosing your identity and state your corruption allegation and address it to:
The Director General DCEO
P. O Box 16060
Maseru -100
Or send the letter physically to:
The Director General
DCEO Former British High Commission Building
Maseru – 100
4. Through an E-mail: A person can write an email alleging corruption to info@dceo.org.ls whether disclosing his/her identity or anonymously.
Please Note that:
In all the modes of reporting outlined above a person making a report chooses to identify himself/herself or can choose to remain anonymous. However, anonymous reporting is not highly recommended because during investigations we face a challenge of not having a reference point to start our investigations. The law also provides for informers protection to encourage people to freely report acts of corruption without any fear of intimidations and victimization.
All received reports are treated in the strictest confidence and under no circumstances are we obliged to disclose our source of information.
It is an offence to make a frivolous, false and groundless corruption allegation as provided for in section 48 of the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences (PCEO) Act of 1999 as Amended by section 25 of the 2006 PCEO Amendment Act.
Informers are protected under section 50 of the PCEO Act as Amended by section 27 of the 2006 Amendment Act. This section provides for protection of informers in so far as the information provided is true or was made in good faith and was believed to be true. However, protection falls away once it is discovered that the information provided is malicious, false and not valid.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS
1. Human sources from public institutions or private bodies as well as parastatals.
2. Social Media
3. Newspapers
4. Internet
CORRUTPION OFFENCES DEALT BY DCEO
Part IV of the PCEO Act of 1999 as Amended provides for offences to be dealt with by DCEO. They are as follows:
1. Corruption (Sec. 21 & 22 of the PCEO Act)
2. Misappropriation of public or private property and funds/embezzlement (Sec. 21(3) (a) of the PCEO Act as Amended)
3. Abuse of power/position (Sec.21 (3) (b) of the PCEO Act as Amended)
4. Bribery by public/private officers (Sec 23 & 24 of the PCEO Act)
5. Corruption of an intermediary (Sec. 25)
6. Bribery in relation to contracts (Sec. 26 of the PCEO Act)
7. Bribery in relation to tender withdrawals during procurement (Sec. 27 of the PCEO Act)
8. Conflict of Interest (Sec. 28 of the PCEO Act as Amended)
9. Bribery in relation to auctions (Sec.29 of the PCEO Act as Amended)
10. Cheating of public revenue (Sec. 30 of the PCEO Act)
11. Declaration of assets (Sec. 30A of the PCEO Act as Amended)
12. Possession of Unexplained Property (Sec. 31 of the PCEO Act)
13. Failure to keep ledgers (Sec.33 of the PCEO Act as Amended)
14. Serious Economic Offence (Sec. 33A of the PCEO Act as Amended)
In some instances DCEO applies offences under the Penal Code Act (PCA) of 2010:1. Fraud (Sec. 68 of the Penal Code Act)
2. Bribery (Sec. 80 of the Penal Code Act)
3. Corruption of agents and employees (Sec. 81 of the Penal Code Act)
DCEO is also empowered by Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime Act (MLPCA) 2008 as Amended to be the competent authority to conduct any investigation into money laundering and terrorist financing (Sec.11 of the MLPCA as Amended).
These are the only offenses to be investigated and prosecuted by DCEO. If the allegation does not fit the description of the said offenses it does not fall within DCEO and it will be referred to the relevant institution where it can be addressed accordingly.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A VALID CORRUPTION ALLEGATION
Reporters are advised to lodge valid complaints. A report should have Four Ws, H and A for it to be valid. That is:
1. What: What happened?
2. When: When did it happen?
3. Where: Where did it happen?
4. Who: Who might be our suspect?
5. How: How did it happen?
6. Amount of money involved: How much has been misused/misappropriated, paid in bribery, defrauded?
It is also of utmost importance if documents can be provided to support the allegation where possible, it makes investigations easier and quicker.
IT PAYS TO REPORT CORRUPTION, ACT NOW!!!
BASOTHO LETS ALL UNITE AND STOP CORRUPTION, IT AFFECTS US ALL!!!
