Court Clears Path for PAC to Probe Lesotho Electricity Company Board

The Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) board’s attempt to block a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) investigation has suffered a major setback after Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane ruled that the case was not urgent and struck it off the roll.

Delivering the High Court ruling today, Chief Justice Sakoane firmly stated that the LEC’s application “is not urgent and is stuck off.” This decision now allows the PAC to proceed unhindered with its inquiry into allegations of financial mismanagement and misuse of funds at the national power utility.

The PAC chairperson, ‘Machabana Lemphane-Letsie, welcomed the court’s decision, emphasizing that it upholds the committee’s constitutional mandate to investigate suspected corruption and malfeasance. “We are pleased with the court’s ruling today, which affirms our mandate to investigate alleged corruption and malfeasance without interference, because we are concerned about the misuse of public funds,” Lemphane-Letsie said.

She further confirmed that summons had already been issued to the LEC board, requiring their attendance before the committee next Monday. “We have already sent summons to the LEC board, demanding their presence on Monday next week, and we are expecting them to comply. They are bound by the law to do so,” she added.

The board had sought a court order to compel the PAC to provide the record of its testimony given before the committee between May 6 and June 2, 2025, within 14 days or a timeframe determined by the court. This request came nearly a month after the proceedings had begun.

In addition, the LEC board was seeking to interdict the PAC from summoning its members to appear for questioning about matters related to the company’s operations. The board also requested a declaratory order that would have limited the PAC’s investigative authority by asserting that it was acting beyond its legal scope.

With today’s ruling, the PAC can now continue its probe without obstruction. The case has attracted public attention due to the serious allegations of financial impropriety at LEC, a key state-owned enterprise.

The High Court’s decision reinforces the principle of accountability and transparency in the use of public funds and marks a significant moment in the fight against corruption in Lesotho. The PAC’s upcoming hearings are expected to shed further light on the governance and financial practices within LEC as the committee moves forward with its investigation.