The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has grilled the Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) Deputy Governor Mr Lehlomela Mohapi over fraudulent transactions made to MRP Enterprises to the tune of M2.6 million.

In its sitting in the New Parliament Committee room on Tuesday, PAC Chairperson Mrs ‘Machabana Lemphane-Letsie said in her audit report, the Auditor General has raised an alarm about the duplicate payment made to the MRP Enterprise made between 10 days to the tune of M2.6 million.

She said under normal circumstances, the CLB should take instructions from the Accountant General before making any payments but that this time, it seems that CLB staff voluntarily made payments without any instructions whatsoever from the Accountant General.

Mrs Lemphane-Letsie demanded answers from Mr Mohapi saying why the duplication of payment was made to the MRP Enterprise.

In his response, Mr Mohapi said the duplication payment to MRP Enterprises was made during the COVID-19 era in which the CBL staff was working on shifts and that during that period, it was not easy for supervisors to verify any mistakes.

Mr Mohapi also stated that the CBL payment system had loopholes which failed to record any duplication made during the payment process.

He insisted that there was no intent on the CBL staff to make the double payment, adding that after being alerted by the Accountant General while making her reconciliations, the bank undertook a forensic audit and that the board of directors resolved to pay the government the money.

However, PAC members were not convinced by the CLB explanation and believed that Mr Mohapi and his staff were defensive in their answers suspecting that they knew what happened.

The PAC demanded to know why only MRP Enterprises was paid twice while the bank is dealing with many transactions a day.

It also questioned the resolution made by the bank to repay the money but not made any attempts to recover the money paid and what action has been undertaken to discipline those behind the payment.

Eventually, PAC ordered the CBL to go and make thorough investigations about what transpired and prepare a report that will be given to the committee.