Country Profile

Since the return of multi-party democracy to Lesotho in 1993, successive governments have shown a sustained commitment to combat corruption and extend participatory rights to citizens. The successful trial of several senior public officials and various multinational companies for their alleged involvement in bribery and embezzlement related to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project proved to be an important milestone in the country’s fight against corruption.

Despite this legal victory, petty and grand corruption is still commonplace in the public service. Anti-corruption institutions lack the capacity to address corruption in the country, anti-corruption policies and accountability mechanisms are generally weak, and access to information is not a reality to citizens outside of the government. Scandals including ministers and public contracts have arisen in the past years and have shaken trust in the public sector.

Lesotho has attempted to address corruption through several laws over the past decade, including a 2006 amendment to the national anti-corruption law which requires public officials to disclose their assets. Currently, the government has received additional funding to pursue a public sector improvement and reform programme (PRISP) which aims at professionalising public administration and increasing the capacity of the civil service in the country.