Tšolo declines to testify in M856m solar case
Former minister Temeki Tšolo will not present his defence in the M856 million Frazer Solar scandal.
Former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Temeki Tšolo, has chosen not to testify in his own defence regarding the M856 million Frazer Solar scandal. The High Court will now decide his fate based on the prosecution and defence's presented evidence. Mr Tšolo faces accusations of exposing Lesotho to a £50 million (approximately M856 million) legal claim through a deal with German businessman Robert Frazer.
Mr Tšolo declined to take the witness stand after the prosecution closed its case on Thursday, having presented four witnesses. His lawyer, Adv Nkola Masoabi, informed the court of the decision after consultations. The prosecution alleges Mr Tšolo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Frazer without Cabinet approval and beyond his ministerial authority, breaching government financial procedures.
Former Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro testified that Mr Tšolo lacked authority to sign agreements with financial implications. Former Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, ‘Masentle Ntobaki, detailed Frazer's close contact with Mr Tšolo between September 2017 and May 2018. Dr Majoro also confirmed the MoU was signed before Cabinet approval and that other ministers were not consulted.
Why it mattersFormer Minister Temeki Tšolo is accused of exposing Lesotho to a M856 million legal claim through a controversial solar deal.