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We’ve got News for You
MAY 25 - 31, 2018
EST. 1997 | Vol 21 Nõ 20
LCS management ‘Trim cabinet’ accused of Govt told nepotism PAGE 6
PAGE 6
SHADY MINE TENDER KANANELO BOLOETSE
M
ASERU – Former commissioner of mines, Tšeliso Ntabe, has been linked to a lucrative drilling and blasting tender at the Liqhobong Mining Development Company allegedly awarded to a joint venture of South Africa-based Basil Read and a Maseru-based Makamics Pty (Ltd) in 2017. Public Eye investigations have revealed that Makamics is a mining company equally owned by three businesses, Makana Mining and Civils (Pty) Ltd, Merero Mining Group (Pty) Ltd and ’Mesamohloane Investment Cooperative Society. Ntabe is linked to the cooperative society. Makamics was registered in December 2016, the same year Ntabe was appointed commissioner of mines. The following year, 2017, Makamics’ joint venture
with Basil Read was allegedly awarded a tender by the Liqhobong Mine and it is alleged Ntabe was intimately involved in the deal. At the time of the transaction, Makamics whose business activities include “mining of iron ores” and “mining of other non-ferrous metal ores” was less than a year old and had no track record in mining. Asked on Tuesday to comment about the allegations, Ntabe denied any wrong doing on his part, saying: “I am not a commissioner of mines,” adding he was given marching orders a long time ago. “I was suspended indefinitely last year, pending investigations. I never heard from the ministry from that time until I received a dismissal letter. I, however, did not challenge my dismissal,” he said.
Continues on page 2
Govt flirts with Avis, turns its back on Lebelonyane PAGE 4
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