Key Points
- A Lesotho national, Mokhali Sankoela, tried to bribe police officers at Maseru Port of Entry with R320,000 ($17,000).
- Police arrested him after he failed to explain the source of the money.
- The Free State High Court ruled that the money must be forfeited to the state.
A Lesotho national, Mokhali Sankoela, lost R320,000 ($17,000) after he attempted to bribe police officers at the Maseru Port of Entry in March 2024.
How the bribery unfolded
Police officers stopped 39-year-old Sankoela at the border and found him carrying a large amount of cash. When questioned, he failed to explain the source of the money. In an attempt to avoid arrest, he allegedly offered the officers a bribe.
Instead of accepting, the officers arrested him and handed the case over to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Bethlehem.
Court orders forfeiture of funds
The Free State High Court ruled that the R320,000 should be forfeited to the state. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) secured the court order after presenting evidence linking the money to criminal activity.
Case moves to court
Sankoela will appear before the Ladybrand Commercial Court on March 17, 2025. He faces charges related to bribery and possession of unexplained funds.
Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, head of the Hawks in the Free State, commended law enforcement for their quick action. He warned that attempts to evade justice through bribery will face legal consequences.
