Bank bars company for years-old bribery scandal  by Emad Mekay
By paying bribes to the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority's chief executive, the engineering company Lahmeyer International engaged in punishable activities, the World Bank's Sanctions Committee found. Inter Press Service (Johannesburg)   November 8/2006

World Bank debars Lahmeyer for bribing Lesotho water chief  by CIOB International (Chartered Institute of Building)
But some say the sanction is too late in coming. iCON magazine  November 8/2006

German firm barred by World Bank for bribery in Lesotho project  by Odious Debts Online
Ban should have come sooner, says analyst. November 7/2006

World Bank sanctions Lahmeyer International for corrupt activities in bank-financed projects  by The World Bank
The World Bank has suspended contracts to the German engineering firm, Lahmeyer International, after finding the company guilty of paying bribes in the multi-billion dollar Lesotho Highlands Water project. November 6/2006

Lesotho dismisses dam appeal  by Reuters
Italy's biggest construction company Impregilo has lost an appeal to challenge the right of the high court in Lesotho to try it for bribing officials to win a major dam contract there. Fin24.co.za  April 14/2006

Top Lesotho water boss charged  by Carmel Rickard
The former top Lesotho official on the Highlands Water Commission, now an influential adviser on water matters with The New Partnership for Africa's Development, has been charged with bribery involving over R1-million. Sunday Times  February 12/2006

A big idea for aiding Africa – think small  by Korinna Horta and Lori Pottinger
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project shows that "something is terribly wrong in the current development model . . . A fundamental flaw is that most international aid efforts are not accountable to their intended beneficiaries." Los Angeles Times  September 21/2005

Lesotho, SA to ink deal on highlands water project  by SAPA (South African Press Association)
Lesotho and South Africa will sign an agreement for the feasibility study of the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project at the Mohale Dam this week. Mail & Guardian  September 19/2005

Loan corruption control  by Richard G. Lugar
"Corruption is a worldwide industry. What Lesotho has done is show that something can indeed be done about it. All that is required is not merely token, but real resolve." – Guido Penzhorn The Washington Times  July 1/2005

A world built on corrupt foundations  by David Nussbaum
Corruption in the construction sector will be reduced only when companies fear debarment more than they fear losing contracts to unscrupulous competitors. International Herald Tribune  March 19/2005

Company faces bribery charges
The Italian company Impregilo SpA will be tried in the Lesotho High Court in April on five charges of bribery relating to the giant Lesotho Highlands Water Project. News 24 (South Africa)   March 2/2005

Highlands water partner up on bribery  by South African Press Association (SAPA)
Yet another official involved in the scandal-plagued Lesotho Highlands Water Project has been called on to face charges of corruption and bribery. IAfrica.com  February 9/2005

Nepad man implicated in bribe scandal  by Estelle Ellis
A top adviser for the New Partnership for Africa's Development has been implicated in a multimillion-rand bribery scandal. Independent Online  December 13/2004

Lahmeyer International in court again for bribing Highlands Water project official
Found guilty by the Lesotho High Court of bribing the former chief of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority two years ago, international construction company, Lahmeyer International, has been back in court on another case of bribery. The Lesotho Government Online  November 29/2004

Italian firms in Lesotho dam corruption case   by Estelle Ellis
Italy's biggest construction company, Impregilo, was hauled before the Lesotho High Court this week as authorities launched their sixth corruption prosecution relating to the multibillion-dollar Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Independent Online (South Africa)  November 14/2004

Fighting corruption alone  by Lisa Peryman
The World Bank's long, drawn-out and half-hearted response to the conviction of a Canadian company for bribery on a Bank-funded project in southern Africa suggests that developing countries, when they do get serious about corruption, are on their own. Odious Debts Online  October 22/2004

Corruption a two-way street  by Andrew Allimadi
The only way to find a solution to corruption is to address the problem from both the supply-side and the demand side, say participants at an African conference on governance. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Addis Ababa)  October 14/2004

Acres and acres of graft  by Eric Reguly
A Canadian firm is blacklisted abroad for bribery, yet no penalties from Ottawa. What's wrong here? Globe and Mail  September 24/2004

Getting priorities right is a must  by Mike Muller
What the Lesotho case and the Lugar corruption hearings demonstrate is that institutions must reflect the interests of the countries concerned instead of the domestic politics of the rich and the powerful. Business Day (South Africa)  September 3/2004

Shady Acres  by Matthew McClearn
Richard Bentley, the 18th-century English scholar, once observed that "no man was ever written out of reputation but by himself." It is so, too, with corporations. A striking demonstration of this is Acres International. Canadian Business  August 16/2004

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project: bribery on a massive scale  by Fiona Darroch
Many of the legal aspects of corruption have now been thoroughly and recently tested in the Lesotho courts, challenging the ways in which corruption is detected and punished in different parts of the world. World Hunger Notes  August 8/2004

Lesotho remains firm against corruption despite lack of funding help from EU or World Bank  by CIOB International News (The Chartered Institute of Building)
Various promises of assistance made but little follow-through, especially from countries whose companies were involved in the criminal proceedings. August 2/2004

World Bank blacklists Canadian MNC  by Guardian News Service
The World Bank said on Friday that it had blacklisted its first multinational with the debarring of Canadian engineering firm Acres International from new contracts for three years. The Hindu  July 24/2004

World Bank penalizes Canadian company   by Karen MacGregor and Karen Howlett
The World Bank has, for the first time, levied penalties against a Western company for corruption, banning prominent engineering firm Acres International from bidding on bank-financed projects for three years. Globe and Mail  July 24/2004

World Bank puts sanctions on Oakville engineering firm  by David Bruser
Acres barred from bank-funded work following overseas bribery conviction. Toronto Star  July 24/2004

World Bank bars Acres International over Lesotho water project  by Julie Ziegler
Acres International was barred from seeking World Bank contracts for three years after the lender said Acres bribed government officials in the African nation of Lesotho to get favorable treatment on a water project. Bloomberg.com  July 23/2004

World Bank blacklists firm   by Charlotte Moore
The World Bank has blacklisted its first multinational, debarring Canadian engineering company Acres International from new contracts for three years. The Guardian (U.K.)  July 23/2004

World Bank sanctions Acres International Limited   by World Bank Press Release
The World Bank has sanctioned Acres International Limited (Acres), a Canadian company, as a result of corrupt activities related to its Bank-financed contract associated with the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. July 23/2004

Acres accused of still owing $2-million in fines  by Karen MacGregor and John Saunders
Convicted of bribing an African official, company says it's paying penalty in stages. Globe and Mail  July 19/2004

U.S. asks Lesotho bribe prosecutor to attend inquiry   by Wiseman Khuzwayo
Guido Penzhorn who has been successfully prosecuting mutinationals for corruption in Lesotho, has been invited to appear before the U.S. foreign relations committee in its hearings on corruption in World Bank-funded projects. Business Report (South Africa)  July 18/2004

Venerable Acres International bought by larger Ontario rival  by John Saunders
Caught in an African bribery case and facing possible blacklisting by the World Bank, one of the great names in Canadian engineering, Acres International Ltd., has quietly accepted a takeover by a larger Ontario firm. The Globe and Mail  June 18/2004

Lesotho builds case against Impregilo  by Wiseman Khuzwayo
Impregilo, one of Italy's biggest construction firms, will know within weeks if it is to face corruption and bribery charges arising from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). Business Report  June 6/2004

Facts that should change the world  by Jessica Williams
Kenya is known as the "country of bribes." Yet multinational corporations are often implicated. Courts in Lesotho convicted two western companies of bribing their way into contracts for a dam construction project. An extract from Fifty Facts That Should Change the World (Icon Books)  May 1/2004

Lugar to probe World Bank  by Carol Giacomo
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has begun a probe into allegations of corruption in projects managed by the World Bank and its affiliates, Senate sources said on Tuesday. Reuters  April 27/2004

Lesotho shames SA with its resolve to stamp out bribery  by Carmel Rickard
If Masupha Sole had worked for Pretoria rather than Maseru, would he have ended up in court? Would he now be in jail? Sunday Times  April 18/2004

German firm faces possible blacklisting  by John Saunders
World Bank ponders sanctions against Lahmeyer in Lesotho corruption case. Globe and Mail  April 13/2004

World Bank statement on Lesotho Court of Appeals ruling  by External Affairs Department: World Bank Press Review 
The World Bank's sanctions committee will re-examine evidence relating to Lahmeyer International after the Lesotho Court of Appeals upheld the firm's bribery conviction. April 13/2004

Lesotho judge ups fine for dam bribery  by Wiseman Khuzwayo
"There is a wall of silence that is very difficult to penetrate. Everyone who is in a position to talk cannot do so because someone else in turn has something on him," said prosecutor Guido Penzhorn. Business Report  April 11/2004

Stop bribing poor nations, judges demand  by Carmel Rickard
Lahmeyer's bribery fine increased. The Sunday Times  April 11/2004

Cynicism is corruption's bedmate
The Canadian engineering company convicted of bribing the former chief executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, seems to be intent on wriggling out of paying a R13 million fine imposed on it for its crimes in the mountain kingdom. Business Report Opinion & Analysis  March 29/2004

Dam shady business  by Sam Sole
Michiel du Plooy must be a nervous man. The Free State businessman is expected to be a key witness in the next corruption case to be launched by the Lesotho prosecuting authority. Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg)  March 26/2004

Why needs may not succeed, World Bank  by Etim Imisim
This month, the World Bank formally reopened a corruption investigation against a leading Canadian engineering company convicted in the high court of Lesotho over multibillion-dollar bribery charges. This Day (Lagos)  March 24/2004

Activists prod World Bank on Canadian corruption case   by Emad Mekay 
"This is a monumental case for the future of corruption in international development projects, especially World Bank projects" and a "moment of truth" for the World Bank, said Patricia Adams of Canadian group Probe International. Inter Press Service  March 23/2004

Crooked company snubs Lesotho   by Wiseman Khuzwayo
Acres International has snubbed the impoverished kingdom of Lesotho by not paying a R13 million fine after being convicted of corruption and bribery. Business Report  March 21/2004

Western firms face bribery blacklist  by David Pallister (UK)
If Acres is debarred, it will send a powerful signal to the world's big construction companies, which rely heavily on the World Bank and other international financial institutions for support. Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg)  March 19/2004

Mbeki hails Lesotho for corruption stand  by Peter Fabricius
Foreign companies were the prime movers in the corruption of Lesotho officials in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, President Mbeki said this week. The Mercury  March 18/2004

South Africa to help Lesotho sue corrupt contractors  by Chantelle Benjamin
Southern African kingdom faces enormous costs for litigation against companies that bribed officials to win water project deals. Business Day  March 18/2004

Mountain kingdom rates high in governance
Lesotho yesterday officially opened Africa's largest dam and water project – a stunning $8 billion (R53.2 billion) scheme that has involved the impoverished kingdom in fighting and winning unprecedented battles against corporate graft. Reuters  March 17/2004

The key word is failure, Ms. Kelly  by Patience Wheatcroft
This week has seen the opening of a £5 billion multinational dam project in tiny Lesotho, in southern Africa, that has already become more famous for exposing bribery than delivering water. The Times (UK)  March 17/2004

Acres' Lesotho woes continue  by John Saunders
Acres International Ltd., already convicted in an African bribery case, could be barred from World Bank-financed projects for corruption, the bank confirmed yesterday. It would be the first major international engineering firm to suffer that shame. The Globe and Mail (Canada)  March 16/2004

Canadian firm in World Bank corruption probe   by David Pallister
The World Bank has formally reopened a corruption inquiry into a leading Canadian engineering company, which could lead to the first blacklisting of a major international firm. The Guardian  March 16/2004

Lesotho commended on corruption bust in water project  by Thabo Mokgola
President Thabo Mbeki has heaped praises on the Lesotho government on the way it has dealt with malpractices at the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, saying the action ensured increased investor confidence in future projects. BuaNews (Pretoria)  March 16/2004

Lesotho opens graft-hit dam project  by Barnaby Phillips
The project has drawn attention to the corrupt practices of some Western companies working in Africa. BBC News  March 16/2004

Global company fined R10m for Lesotho bribery  by SAPA
One of the world's leading electrical companies, Schneider Electric, was fined R10 million in the Lesotho High Court today after admitting to bribery. South African Broadcasting Corporation  February 25/2004

Schneider Electric to stand trial in bribery case  by SAPA
A Lesotho High Court judge in his ruling this week, accused Schneider of spinning in France "an intricate web of corporate manipulation with its yarn reaching over to the Kingdom of Lesotho." December 13/2003

Spie Batignolles next in line for Lesotho prosecution  by Wiseman Khuzwayo
The prosecution of multinational companies on charges of corruption relating to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is quietly continuing. Institute for Security Studies   November 25/2003

Groups fear Canadian funding for Romanian mine   by Stephen Leahy
The World Bank's refusal to help fund a Canadian company's controversial development of a huge open pit gold mine in Romania has raised concerns the Canadian government will step in with money. Inter Press Service News Agency  November 16/2003

Leading company implicated in Lesotho bribery case
French-based Schneider calls itself one of the world's leading manufacturers of equipment for electrical distribution, industrial control and automation. It boasts operations in 130 countries. SAPA  November 11/2003

Corruption goes unpunished  by Fraser Reilly-King
EDC will not bar Canadian company Acres International, recently convicted of corruption charges in the Lesotho Highlands Water project, from future contracts. Halifax Initiative Press Release  November 5/2003

Re: EDC's position on bribery and the treatment of companies convicted of such offences  by Export Development Canada (EDC)
Measures and safeguards, as well as EDC's normal business considerations and application of its Anti-Corruption Program, help to ensure that future business for which Acres might seek our support is not tainted by corruption. October 31/2003

South African sentenced for water project bribery
A South African who pleaded guilty to acting as an intermediary in bribery payments to the former head of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, has been sentenced to a fine of R500,000 or five years in prison. South African Press Association  September 18/2003

Another watershed for Acres  by Matthew McClearn
Updating the Lesotho Highlands water project bribery scandal. Canadian Business.com  September 15/2003

Lesotho gets serious about corruption  by South African Press Association
The Lesotho government has taken another step to show the world that it will continue to fight corruption after the bribery scandal involving millions of rand over the construction of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Mail & Guardian online  September 4/2003

African adventure  by Matthew McClearn
Multinational corporations have often viewed bribery as a distasteful but necessary part of doing business in certain countries – particularly underdeveloped ones. Canadian Business Magazine  September 2/2003

A world of corruption
A BBC series on corruption looks at the groundbreaking corruption trial in Lesotho, one of the smallest and poorest countries in Africa. BBC   September 1/2003

Third multinational charged
Lesotho's attorney general Fine Maema said a court date would be set for the prosecution of French construction company, Spie Batagnolles. News24.com  August 28/2003

Catching the corrupt no easy task in South Africa  by Chantelle Benjamin
Experts say South Africa's law is flawed, allowing those who offer bribes to walk free. Business Day  August 27/2003

Lesotho fines second firm for bribery
Lesotho's High Court has fined a German company more than $1m for bribing its way into a massive dams project. BBC News  August 27/2003

Lesotho to prosecute 15 more multinationals
This comes after a German firm, Lahmeyer, was fined R10,5 million in the Lesotho High Court for bribery. SABC  August 27/2003

New policy to restore investor confidence in Lesotho
"Once the international companies and the international community as a whole realize that there's zero tolerance on corruption, then it clearly means that there'd be more investors coming to Lesotho." – Fine Maema, Lesotho's Attorney General. South African Broadcasting Corporation  August 27/2003

German company fined for bribery
Second multinational convicted in Lesotho corruption trial. news24.com  August 26/2003

Lesotho sends a strong message on corruption   by Linda Ensor 
In sentencing Acres International, judges wanted to send a strong message to developers. "The question of conviction alone is a far-reaching punishment because Acres will be unlikely to secure contracts funded by the World Bank." Business Day  August 25/2003

Acres' partners in crime  by Lawrence Solomon
Was Canada's federal government determined to see justice prevail? Just the opposite. National Post  August 23/2003

Request to EDC for a clear statement of EDC's policy on bribery and convicted companies  by NGO Working Group on EDC
We ask you to commit to a thorough investigation of all transactions involving Acres International, and a barring of Acres International from future EDC transactions for a period no less than five years. August 22/2003

Acres loses appeal on bribery charge in Lesotho  by Karen MacGregor
Patricia Adams of Probe International wants the World Bank to ban Acres from future bank contracts or risk sending a signal that multinational corporate officials can bribe Third World officials with impunity. Globe and Mail  August 18/2003

Acres responds to appeal verdict in Lesotho trial  by Acres International Ltd.
Acres International expressed its disappointment that the Appeal Court of Lesotho upheld one of the two counts of bribery that were the subject of its recent appeal. August 18/2003

Court pours water on Canadian firm's appeal  by Wiseman Khuzwayo
Part of the court judgment read: "The fact of the conviction demonstrates to those who do business in developing countries that they do not have a licence to buy favour from governments by making corrupt payments to persons in authority." Business Report  August 17/2003

Acres' landmark bribery conviction upheld
Acres International, an Oakville, Ont.-based engineering firm, lost its appeal today against a bribery conviction in one of Africa's biggest water projects. Odious Debts Online News Release  August 15/2003

Canadian firm loses appeal against Lesotho bribery conviction
Canadian engineering firm Acres International has lost its appeal against a bribery conviction in a major African water project. Agence France Press  August 15/2003

Lesotho Appeal Court reduces Acres' fine, still guilty of one count of bribery
Lesotho's Court of Appeal has reduced the R22-million fine imposed by the High Court of Lesotho on Canadian company Acres International, convicted of bribing the former head of one of Africa's biggest water projects. South African Press Association (SAPA)  August 15/2003

Resentment builds in Lesotho highlands
Lesotho's action against international corruption in one of Africa's largest engineering schemes holds little weight on the steep, bare mountain sides above the Katse dam and reservoir. Here, anger against the government is easy to find. BBC Radio 4, Crossing Continents  August 7/2003

Canadian firm appeals Lesotho verdict
Lesotho's highest court is hearing an appeal by a Canadian engineering company against its conviction and R22-million fine for corruption related to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. South African Press Association (SAPA)  August 6/2003

Ombudsman releases report on Lesotho Highlands Development Authority and affected communities  by Thabo Thakalekoala
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority should pay interest on delayed compensation for communities affected by the giant Lesotho Highlands Water Project's Phase 1B, Ombudsman says. AllAfrica.com  August 6/2003

Lahmeyer International sentenced in Lesotho
German consultancy firm Lahmeyer International found guilty of bribery in Lesotho Highland Water Project. Africa Energy Intelligence N° 349  July 2/2003

Lesotho Judge Convicts German Engineering Firm of Bribery Charges  by International Rivers Network
"Like the Acres' verdict before it, the judgment against Lahmeyer throws into doubt the legitimacy of these companies' involvement in other large dam projects throughout the world," says Ryan Hoover of International Rivers Network. Press Release  June 18/2003

Germans guilty of bribery
Lesotho High Court Judge Gabriel Mofolo found Lahmeyer, a German engineering company, guilty on seven counts for paying R5.9m in bribes to Lesotho Highlands Development Authority former chief executive Masupha Sole over a six year period. Business Day, South Africa  June 17/2003

African conduit guilty in Lesotho bribe trial   by David Pallister
The long-running series of corruption trials against leading international construction companies in the southern African state of Lesotho has reached another milestone with a guilty plea from one of the main intermediaries for the bribes. The Guardian, UK  June 13/2003

South African pleads guilty to charges in Lesotho
Jacobus Michiel du Plooy, a South African citizen of Ficksburg in the Free State, pleaded guilty in the Lesotho High Court today to bribery totalling more than $ 1 million related to the Lesotho highlands water project. SABC News, South Africa  June 3/2003

Lesotho corruption
A National Public Radio report on the historic foreign aid-related corruption court case unfolding in the remote South African kingdom of Lesotho. National Public Radio (NPR)  May 19/2003

Ex-water chief must serve 18* years  by News24.com
The Lesotho Court of Appeal on Monday confirmed the conviction of the former head of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority on 13 counts of receiving bribe money from international contractors and consultants. *[See full story] April 15/2003

Amec challenged over alleged link to African bribery trial  by Saeed Shah
Amec's promise that its acquisition of Spie will not draw it into a bribery trial in southern Africa has been challenged by the French engineering company's former owner. The Independent, U.K.  February 10/2003

Bribery row mars Amec's ballot win  by Terry Macalister
A row over bribery allegations yesterday took the shine off shareholder approval for the Amec board to proceed with its full takeover of French construction company SPIE. The Guardian  February 6/2003

Corruption busting  by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Lesotho in brave fight against graft: Sets a useful precedent for African countries which have long been perceived as venal but are, in some cases, the victims of unscrupulous multinational companies. Engineering News  January 24/2003

Lesotho in bid to stamp-out corruption
The Lesotho government has set-up an anti-corruption department to root-out corruption in that country. SABC  December 19/2002

Bribery case: Application dismissed
The Lesotho High Court dismissed three applications on Wednesday brought by the former head of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority challenging his conviction for multi-million rand bribery and fraud. December 18/2002

A Flood of Disappointment  by Chris Smith
Despite mountains of scientific studies and millions of dollars invested in high-profile rural development programs, the LHWP has made beggars of displaced Highlands people like Mamolupe Tsalong. Mother Jones (US Magazine)  December 16/2002

Court suspends [Acres International] bribery fine
The Court of Appeal of Lesotho has granted an application by the Acres International for the suspension of payment of a R22-million fine imposed on the firm for bribing a senior official of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Business Day   December 13/2002

Court suspends bribery fine
. Business Day  December 13/2002

Ethical guidelines proposed for multinationals
An anti-corruption group, TRACE (Transparent Agents and Contracting Entities) has unveiled a set of guidelines that it says will help reduce corrupt practices by transnational corporations and their agents in the developing world. Inter Press Service  December 13/2002

Lesotho Court suspends bribery fine for Canadian multinational
Lesotho's Court of Appeal suspends payment on the landmark US$2.25-million fine levied against Canadian engineering giant, Acres International. December 12/2002

Lesotho court suspends bribery fine
An appeals court in Lesotho has suspended a $2.2m (£1.4m) fine against the Canadian engineering firm at the heart of an alleged bribery scandal. BBC  December 11/2002

Katse communities forgotten by LHDA  by By Thabo Thakalekoala
As the LHDA continues to compensate some communities affected by the giant Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP)district, others similarly affected by the Project are forgotten. Mopheme/The Survivor (Maseru)  November 22/2002

Lakabane Family Faces Danger of Being Swallowed Up By the Giant Mohale Dam  by Thabo Thakaleko
As the impoundment of the Mohale reservoir of the giant Lesotho Highlands Development Project begins, the future remains uncertain and bleak for some local communities living around the reservoir. Mopheme/The Survivor (Maseru)  November 14/2002

Multinationals' bribery goes unpunished: Fighting corruption  by Peter Eigen
When OECD member countries signed a convention in 1997 outlawing bribery by multinational companies of officials abroad, it was regarded as a milestone in the global fight against corruption. International Herald Tribune   November 12/2002

Letters to the Editors: Toronto Star, ENN (AP/CP)  by Patricia Adams
Dear Editor: Acres International is misleading your readers by claiming that "it was awarded the contract only after an international competitive bidding process, supervised by Lesotho and South Africa and approved by the World Bank." November 1/2002

Letter to the Editor: Globe & Mail  by Patricia Adams
Dear Editor: Acres International is misleading your readers by claiming that the World Bank dismissed the same charges against it ("Acres vows appeal," by Terry Weber, October 28, 2002). October 30/2002

Letters to the Editor: Toronto Star  by Patricia Adams
Dear Editor: Acres International, sentenced this week in Lesotho for bribing an African official, is misleading your readers by claiming that it was cleared in a probe by the World Bank ("Lesotho court fines Acres," October 29, 2002). October 30/2002

SA welcomes heavy fine in Lesotho Highlands bribery trial  by Veronica Mohapeloa
In a note to Lesotho counterpart, South African Minister Kasrils expressed the hope that the message that "corruption in Africa will not be tolerated" would now get across loud and clear to the international community. BuaNews (allAfrica.com)  October 30/2002

South Africans applaud Lesotho ruling against Canadian firm
The South African government applauded a Lesotho court's decision to fine a Canadian company more than US$2 million for bribing an official in charge of a multibillion water project. Associated Press  October 30/2002

Acres fined $3.4-million for bribing project's CEO  by Karen MacGregor and John Saunders
Judge Mahapela Lehohla rebuked Acres, convicted last month on two bribery counts, for showing "not the slightest hint of remorse" during its trial and for subsequent comments that "bordered on contempt of court." Globe and Mail  October 29/2002

Bribery firm protests its innocence
The case marks the first time that bribe-givers, as well as takers, have found themselves in the dock in a high-profile international project. BBC News Online  October 29/2002

Canadian company fined £1.6m for Lesotho bribes  by David Pallister
Acres' sentence is the first from a series of unprecedented trials of some of the world's leading dam designers and builders. Acres said it would appeal. If it loses it may be banned from bidding for future projects funded by the World Bank. The Guardian  October 29/2002

Canadian company fined in Lesotho  by James Lamont in Johannesburg
Acres International, the Canadian engineering consulting company, was yesterday fined R22.5m ($2.23m, €2.28m, £1.43m) in the Lesotho High Court for bribery linked to a World Bank-funded southern Africa water supply contract. Financial Times  October 29/2002

Canadian firm fined R22m for Lesotho bribe
The Lesotho High Court fined Canadian engineering firm Acres International R22,5million in a landmark case yesterday for bribing a top official in a major water project in Lesotho. Dispatch Online (Sapa-AFP)  October 29/2002

Canadian firm to appeal Lesotho fine
A Canadian engineering firm embroiled in a high-profile bribery case in Lesotho said on Monday it would appeal against a $2.2-million fine handed down by the country's high court. Reuters  October 29/2002

Kasrils welcomes bribery sentence
South African Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Ronnie Kasrils has welcomed the fine imposed on Acres International found guilty of bribing an official of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority. Business Day (Sapa)  October 29/2002

Lesotho court fines Acres: Oakville firm hit with $3.5 million bribery penalty  by Madhavi Acharya-Tom Yew
"I think the judge is sending a clear message to other companies that bribery doesn't pay," said Patricia Adams, executive director of Probe International. "With tough penalties like this, companies will get the message that it's not worth it." Toronto Star  October 29/2002

South Africans applaud Lesotho ruling against Canadian firm
The South African government applauded Tuesday a Lesotho court's decision to fine a Canadian company more than $3.1 million Cdn for bribing an official in charge of a multibillion water project. Canadian Press  October 29/2002

Acres faces fine for bribe to CEO   by Karen MacGregor
Engineering company maintains innocence, plans to appeal Lesotho verdict. Globe and Mail  October 28/2002

Acres fined US$2.25M in water bribery case  by Garry Marr
"The court wants to send a clear message that companies wanting contracts should not even think of taking a risk in trying to bribe officials," said Judge Mahapela Lehohla before imposing the fine. Engineering firm will appeal verdict, sentencing. Financial Post  October 28/2002

Acres International to appeal Lesotho court sentence
Acres International said that it was disturbed and dismayed by the Lesotho trial judge's sentence as it was by his earlier unjustified decision. Acres said it would continue its preparation to appeal the decision and the sentence. Acres International Press Release (Canada NewsWire)  October 28/2002

Acres vows appeal  by Terry Weber (files from Karen MacGregor)
"Acres vociferously protests its innocence and is committed to strongly defending its good reputation," the company said in a statement. Globe and Mail Online Edition  October 28/2002

Canadian firm fined R22m in Lesotho
Acres International, was fined R22.5-million in the Lesotho High Court today for bribery linked to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project that supplies water to South Africa. Business Day South Africa (Sapa)  October 28/2002

Canadian multinational fined US$2.25 million for bribing African official
Lesotho High Court has fined Acres International US$2.25 million (22,580,091 maloti) for bribing the former head of a multibillion-dollar dam project to secure contracts. Probe International Press Release   October 28/2002

Court sends clear message
"There is a total absence of remorse. All that Acres appears to regret was that it was caught," said Judge Mahapela Lehohla. News24.com (Sapa-AFP)  October 28/2002

Firm faces fine for bribery in Lesotho as UN prepares Convention on Corruption
World Bank DevNews  October 28/2002

Western firm fined for African bribery
A Canadian transnational corporation has been hit with a multimillion-dollar fine for bribing its way into a lucrative World Bank-funded African dam project. It is the first to be convicted and sentenced, and now faces a fine of 22m maloti. BBC News Online  October 28/2002

Bribery case could cost Acres plenty   by Melissa Leong
Oakville-based engineering firm Acres International Ltd. may face a fine of up to $4 million after being convicted of bribery by a foreign government. Toronto Star  October 12/2002

Lesotho Highlands: More scandal
A Lesotho prosecutor asked the Lesotho High Court on Friday to impose the maximum fine on Canadian engineering company Acres International, which was found guilty of bribery. SAPA  (South African Press Association)  October 12/2002

Press Update: Lesotho corruption trial sentencing
Arguments were heard this week in Lesotho's High Court during the sentencing trial of Acres International. Probe International  October 11/2002

The Judgment is in!
The written Judgment in Rex v Acres International, the first in the world's most important international corruption trials, is now available on-line. October 9/2002

Canadian Acres caught in Lesotho bribing scandal
In an unprecedented case, a Canadian engineering company has suffered the humiliation of being the first multinational to be fined for bribing its way into a World Bank-funded dam project in the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Financial Times Business (UK)  October 1/2002

Canadian engineering multinational to be sentenced today in world's largest corruption case
Canadian engineering multinational Acres International is expected to be sentenced today in Lesotho's High Court Probe International Press Advisory  October 1/2002

Corruption corrodes Development Banks  by Martin Edwin Andersen
Scandal rages around alleged bribery in Lesotho, where the World Bank is financing Africa's largest water project. Investigative Report  October 1/2002

ABB kan dömas för korruption  by Christer Pettersson
Article appearing in Swedish newspaper examining ABB's connection to the corruption trials in Lesotho. Dagens Nyheter (Stockholm)  September 29/2002

Lesotho water a time bomb
Besides Acres, Lesotho judicial authorities have also accused Italy's Impregilo, French consortium Sogreah, Coyne and Cegelec, Spie Batignoles, Swiss-Swedish firm ABB, Germany's Lahmeyer, Britain's Alexander Gibb & Partners. Africa Energy Intelligence (N° 330)  September 25/2002

Engineering firm found guilty of bribery in Lesotho
Canadian engineering consulting firm Acres International has been found guilty by the Lesotho High Court of paying bribes to win contracts on a multi-billion dollar dam project, with sentencing expected in early October 2002. International Water Power and Dam Construction   September 24/2002

Letter to the Editor: Respect due to Lesotho's judiciary  by Ryan Hoover
It is time for the World Bank to take action against companies convicted of corruption. Declaring Acres ineligible to receive Bank-financed contracts is the way to start, says IRN's Ryan Hoover. Financial Times  September 24/2002

Lesotho says no to bribery  by Carmel Rickard
The corruption honeymoon in Southern Africa is over, top officials in Lesotho warned this week, urging foreign companies doing business here to clean up their business practices. Sunday Times (Johannesburg)  September 22/2002

Statement by South African Minister of Water Affairs on Lesotho judgement
South African Minister of Water Affairs warmly congratulated his Lesotho counterpart, Minister of Natural Resources, following the conviction of Canadian firm, Acres International, by the Lesotho High Court. September 22/2002

Small place, big wave - A bribery conviction in Lesotho
Corruption in Lesotho: A conviction for bribery could have a wide impact The Economist  September 21/2002

Lesotho bribery case warning   by James Lamont and Thomas Land
Acres International warns that its conviction for bribery by the Lesotho high court could jeopardise international construction companies' operations in the developing world. Financial Times  September 19/2002

Listen: As It Happens Interviews the World Bank and Patricia Adams
Listen! Here's a link to CBC's Radio archive of the live interview with Caroline Anstey,chief spokesperson for the World Bank, and Probe International Execuive Director, Patricia Adams. CBC Radio  September 19/2002

Acres found guilty of bribery African court ruling is warning for foreign firms  by Susan Pigg
"What Lesotho has said is that it takes two to tango . . . [Now] businesses will look at Lesotho and say, 'We don't have to engage in criminal activities in order to get contracts. We prefer to do business in countries like that'," said Patricia Adams. Toronto Star  September 18/2002

Acres Int'l convicted in African bribery case  by Karen MacGregor
In a 300-page judgment, Judge Lehohla found that Acres had intended to bribe Mr. Sole and that its agreement with its agent was struck in order to cover the bribe. Acres said it was shocked by the ruling and plans to appeal. Globe and Mail  September 18/2002

Acres to appeal bribery verdict in water case bribery verdict in water case  by Garry Marr
Says it didn't know its representative paid developer Financial Post  September 18/2002

Activists welcome Lesotho's landmark bribery verdict  by Penny Dale
"The Lesotho verdict . . . has sweeping implications, including the potential to eradicate the widespread corruption we see happening in large-scale development projects involving multinational firms in developing countries," said Patricia Adams. OneWorld Africa  September 18/2002

Canada: Firm paid bribes to win Lesotho dam job
Probe International said that Tuesday's conviction on corruption charges of Acres International, could change the way in which multinational companies undertake projects, such as building dams, in developing countries. Environment News  September 18/2002

Canadian engineering firm Acres 'shocked' by Lesotho bribery conviction  by Gary Norris
Acres said it was "shocked" by the verdict and will immediately appeal. The Record (Canadian Press)  September 18/2002

Canadian firm convicted of bribery
The Lesotho High Court today convicted Acres International, a Canadian engineering consulting firm, of paying bribes to win contracts on a multi-billion dollar dam project. International Rivers Network (posted on AllAfrica.com)  September 18/2002

Canadian firm found guilty of bribing Lesotho official
"If Western governments get tough with convicted bribers, multinational firms will get the message that corruption is costly, and this will spell the end of corruption on Third World development projects." - Patricia Adams, Probe International. South African Press Association (SAPA)/Agence France-Presse (AFP)  September 18/2002

Canadian firm found guilty of Lesotho dam bribery  by David Pallister
"If western governments get tough with convicted bribers, multinational firms will get the message that corruption is costly, and that will spell the end of corruption on third world development projects," said Patricia Adams. The Guardian (U.K.)  September 18/2002

Canadian firm guilty of corruption in Africa  by Emad Mekay
"If Western governments get tough with convicted bribers, multinational firms will get the message that corruption is costly, and that will spell the end of corruption on Third World development projects," said Probe International. IPS  September 18/2002

Canadian firm paid bribes to win Lesotho dam job
The Lesotho verdict comes in a week when the newly formed African Union is meeting in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa to draw up a pan-African blueprint to fight corruption, which it says costs the continent an estimated $150 billion each year. Environment News Service (ENS)  September 18/2002

Ex-diplomat helped funnel bribes: court  by Kate Jaimet, Ottawa Citizen
Canada's former consular representative in Lesotho was revealed this week to be at the centre of a bribery scandal that has seen a Canadian engineering firm convicted of bribery in order to win contracts on a massive hydroelectric dam project. Southam News Service  September 18/2002

Warning after company convicted in Lesotho  by James Lamont
Acres International, the Canadian engineering consulting company, on Wednesday warned that its conviction for bribery by the Lesotho High Court could jeopardise international construction companies' operations in the developing world. September 18/2002

Acres International to appeal Lesotho court decision
. Acres International Press Release  September 17/2002

Mark Thomas reveals shady business in Africa  by Mark Thomas
Why are we using taxpayers' money to arm dictators and to back projects that destroy the environment and displace thousands of men and women from their land? New Statesman  September 16/2002

Landmark bribery verdict for accused Canadian firm expected Friday, September 13
The verdict in the case against a Canadian engineering firm accused of bribery in Lesotho, a country in southern Africa, is scheduled to be elivered Friday, September 13. Probe International Press Release  September 12/2002

Oakville engineering company braces for African bribery verdict  by Catherine Porter
The verdict in the case against a Canadian engineering firm accused of bribing the former Chief Executive of Lesotho's Highlands Development Authority is scheduled for tomorrow in Maseru's high court. Toronto Star  September 12/2002

Lesotho bezichtigt deutsche Firma der Schmiergeldzahlung  by Bettina Stang
This article appeared in a German publication on the day, German engineering firm, Lahmeyer International's court case began in Lesotho. Lahmeyer is the second firm to be tried for bribery in the corruption surrounding the Lesotho Highlands dam project. Süddeutsche  August 15/2002

The Canadian challenge  by Oskar T.  Sigvaldason
Acres International responds to Probe International's June 27, article, "The Canadian connection." Acres' says its case highlights the risks Canadian companies face in developing countries, and the need to ensure they receive due process. National Post  July 19/2002

Jailed ex-CE opens case against judge  by Lisle Daverin
The former CE of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, Masupha Sole, who was jailed for 18 years for corruption, has begun legal action against the judge in his case. Business Day (Johannesburg)   July 11/2002

Mashupha Sole to sue judge who sentenced him
The former chief executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Masupha Sole, who was jailed for 18 years for corruption, has begun legal action against the judge in his case. Mail & Guardian Online  July 11/2002

The Canadian connection in Africa's scourge of corruption  by Patricia Adams
A generation ago, Canada openly accepted bribery as a fact of life in Third World countries. That was then. What has not changed is Canada's tolerance of corruption by Canadian companies. NCM Online  July 11/2002

Big business   by David Pallister
The Lesotho Highlands water project is the largest civil engineering feat in Africa. It involves building five dams in the tiny kingdom's Maluti Highlands over 30 years at an estimated cost of $8bn [about pounds 5.2bn]. Guardian (U.K.)  July 6/2002

Blacklisting threat to UK firm in dam cash scandal   by David Pallister
Balfour Beatty among consortium named in bribery judgment as two year African corruption trial ends in jail for Lesotho chief executive. Guardian (U.K.)  July 6/2002

Power play in the African highlands  by David Pallister
Like all big dam projects, Lesotho's has been the subject of widespread criticism from environment-alists. Guardian (U.K.)  July 6/2002

Acres awaits bribery trial ruling   by Karen MacGregror
Lesotho judge must decide if payments to Swiss bank account were legitimate. Globe and Mail  July 2/2002

The end of swag?  by Rich Thomas and Stefan Theil
Until recently, Europeans could pay off foreign officials and write it off as a tax deduction. Now they're joining a rich-nation front with high hopes of rolling back the global culture of corruption. Newsweek  July 1/2002

The Canadian connection  by Patricia Adams 
A corruption trial in Lesotho should be forcing Canadian agencies to re-examine their relationships with firms that engage in bribery. Instead, the indifference it is being greeted with indicates little has changed. National Post  June 27/2002

Acres expects acquittal in bribery trial  by John Saunders
Acres International Ltd., one of Canada's best-known engineering firms, says it believes it will be acquitted of bribery in the African kingdom of Lesotho even though the official it is accused of bribing was convicted. Globe and Mail  June 6/2002

Lesotho takes on corruption analysis  by Lala Camerer
The thing about corruption that really sticks in one's throat is the arrogant self-righteousness of those, convicted of corrupt activity, who unashamedly deny they have engaged in criminal conduct. Mail & Guardian   June 6/2002

Water board boss jailed for taking bribes
The former chief executive of a water board has been jailed for 18 years for corruption, making him the first official in the southern African country to be punished for taking bribes from multinational companies. The Independent (U.K.)  June 6/2002

Engineer jailed for taking bribes  by Karen MacGregor
Masupha Sole was pushed into Lesotho High Court in a wheelchair yesterday to hear himself sentenced to 18 years in prison for taking bribes from foreign contractors.  Globe and Mail  June 5/2002

Highlands CEO to jail for bribe
The former chief executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, Masupha Sole, was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Lesotho High Court for taking bribes from international firms. News24.com (Sapa-AFP)  June 4/2002

Lesotho water project executive sentenced
SABC News, South Africa  June 4/2002

Acres' reputation at risk in African bribery trial  by Karen Macgregor and John Saunders
Acres International Ltd., one of the great names in Canadian engineering, is nearing the end of a criminal trial in an impoverished African kingdom on charges that could stain its reputation and show the risks of using far-off agents. Globe and Mail  May 27/2002

Letters to the Editor: Weak approach to combating corruption   by Ryan Hoover
Punishing these companies' agents instead of the companies themselves is a scandalously weak approach to combating corruption on its projects. Financial Times   May 24/2002

Former Lesotho executive guilty  by James Lamont
The Lesotho High Court yesterday found Masupha Sole guilty of bribery associated with a World Bank-financed project to supply South Africa with water. Financial Times  May 22/2002

Lesotho dam official guilty of graft
Former Lesotho Highlands Development Authority chief executive was found guilty of accepting bribes from international consultants and contractors from the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany to grant them lucrative contracts in the giant project. Agence France Press  May 22/2002

SA hails bribery conviction
South African Water Affairs Minister Ronnie Kasrils has commended the Lesotho government in a letter for its resolve to fight corruption and prosecute, at considerable cost, those involved. News24.com (Sapa)  May 22/2002

Convicted Highlands Water Project chief hospitalized
The former chief executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, Masupha Sole, convicted in the multi-million rand bribery trial linked to the massive Lesotho Highlands Water Project, has been remanded in custody at a Maseru Hospital. BBC Monitoring Service  May 21/2002

Former CEO of US$8B African water project convicted  by Garry Marr
Canadian company, Acres, denied links to bribery scandal. National Post  May 21/2002

UK firms named in Lesotho bribery verdict  by Chris McGreal in Johannesburg
Dam project chief given millions to place contracts companies gave millions to dam project official. Guardian (U.K.)  May 21/2002

Water project boss convicted of bribery  by Jonathan Katzenellenbogen
Former chief executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority was convicted yesterday of accepting bribes from some of the world's best-known contractors including Acres International. A case is currently proceeding against Acres. Business Day (Johannesburg)  May 21/2002

Bribe exposure  by Jonathan Rugman
A historic decision: a court in Lesotho has convicted an African official of taking bribes from international construction firms. Channel 4 TV News  May 20/2002

Corporate bribery verdict in Lesotho
Dams exploit Lesotho's one natural resource: water BBC  May 20/2002

Canadian firm charged with bribery in Lesotho  by Staff Reporter
The prosecution team says evidence will be led that Acres International paid bribes worth millions of US dollars to the former chief executive of the Lesotho Highlands Authority. ChannelAfrica.org  February 20/2002

Maseru bribery: Canadian firm charged
A Canadian firm of contractors, Acres International, was charged with two counts of bribery in the Lesotho High Court on Tuesday in connection with the two-nation Lesotho Highlands Water Project. South African Press Association (Johannesburg)  February 19/2002

Lesotho, South Africa, World Bank clash looming over 'crucial' corruption case
The Lesotho and South African governments are headed for a clash with the World Bank after the financial institution reneged on a promise to fund the kingdom's legal costs in a crucial corruption case. BBC Monitoring Service  December 10/2001

SA and kingdom on collision course with World Bank   by Simon Zwame
The Lesotho and South African governments are headed for a clash with the World Bank after the financial institution decides not to fund the kingdom's legal costs in a crucial corruption case. Sunday Times  December 9/2001

Defence asks for re-ppening of its case
Defence lawyers taking part in the multi-million rand bribery trial of former Lesotho Highlands Development Authority chief executive Masupha Sole on Thursday applied for the re-opening of the defence's case in the Maseru High Court. South African Press Association (Johannesburg)  November 29/2001

Huge protest over large dams in Lesotho
Police attempt to disrupt demonstrations, injuring three. Transformation Resource Centre, IRN, Environmental Monitoring Group  November 26/2001

Sole wins more time in fraud trial  by Clive Rubin
The corruption trial of Ephraim Sole, the dismissed chief executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, resumed this week in the Maseru high court after a two-month recess, only to be halted within a day. Business Report  August 19/2001

Clock ticking to Sole's bribery scam  by Khutliso Sekoati
Just six days are left until Swiss banks officials cough out their knowledge about former Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) Chief Executive Masupha Sole's secret financial accounts. Mopheme/The Survivor  August 15/2001

Accessories to the crimes -- Hypocrisy surrounds bribery issue  by Richard Gwyn
Most OECD nations already have laws that prohibit the commission of a crime, such as bribery, abroad. Canada does. But there’s never been a single court case brought against a Canadian company. Here’s the rub: We profit from corruption. The Toronto Star  July 18/2001

World Bank to black-list corrupt companies  by Bonile Ngqiyaza
A World Bank spokesman in South Africa said the bank would black- list companies that were found guilty of corruption in the LHWP corruption trial. Business Day  June 28/2001

Lesotho tries to end corruption culture  by Chris McGreal
Multinational companies are about to go on trial in Lesotho accused of paying huge bribes to a local official, a case virtually unprecedented in Africa. Guardian (U.K.)  June 19/2001

R10,4m bribery trail led to Sole court told  by Clive Rubin
Ephraim Sole, the former chief executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), rose in Maseru's high court and pleaded "not guilty" to 16 criminal charges of bribery and two counts of fraud before Judge Brandon Cullinan. Business Report  June 17/2001

FBI raids British firm's offices  by David Hencke Westminster
Balfour Beatty - which also has a contract for the controversial Ilusi dam in Turkey and may face prosecution in Lesotho over alleged corruption payments over a dam project - was raided this month by 40 FBI agents. Guardian (U.K.)  June 22/2000

UK firms paid a pounds 1.2M bribe to get dam contract
British firms are among a dozen of the best known international construction companies involved in a trial in the remote South African kingdom of Lesotho. The Independent  June 14/2000

Highlands hearing may land multinationals in hot water  by James Lamont
Today a landmark case gets under way in Maseru with the potential to embarrass some the world`s largest construction companies. South Africa's Business Report  June 12/2000

Bigger fish in the dock in Lesotho trial
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) R25-million corruption trial restarts in Maseru next week. Business Report Sunday Independent  June 11/2000

Lesotho Highlands bribes trial starts  by Nicol Degli Innocenti
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project corruption trial begins on Monday, with some of the world's largest construction companies among the accused. Financial Times  June 5/2000

It takes two to tango when it comes to corruption
A landmark case against international corruption begins in the Maseru High Court this week, with a number of huge companies in the dock on charges of bribery. Sunday Times  April 30/2000

NSS harass Leuta for attending Dam-Affected Peoples Conference
Three agents of Lesotho's National Security Service (NSS) have repeatedly harassed Mr. Benedict Leuta in recent months. Leuta is a resident of the Lesotho Highlands who lost land to the recently constructed Katse Dam. Transformation Resource Centre   March 8/2000

Lesotho bribery case set for May  by David Greybe
The multimillion-rand Lesotho Highlands Water Project bribery trial, involving more than 20 international companies and individuals, will begin on May 2 next year and run for five months, the chief magistrate of Maseru said yesterday. Business Day (Johannesburg)  December 8/1999

Water project's former CEO in court  by Primarashni Pillay
Two individuals, including Masupha Sole, and representatives of three international companies, appeared before the chief magistrate of Maseru yesterday on charges of alleged bribery amounting to R22m. Business Day (Johannesburg)  November 30/1999

Corrupt companies should be suspended from WB contracts
Dam-building companies charged with corruption in a Lesotho court should be suspended from receiving World Bank contracts while they are under investigation, says International Rivers Network. International Rivers Network   November 29/1999

Wolfensohn will lose face if he gives nod to dirty dozen  by Patrick Bond and David Letsie
The simple issue on the agenda at a World Bank meeting in Pretoria is corruption - specifically the padding of Katse Dam construction costs by a "dirty dozen" of multinational corporations. Business Day  November 17/1999

Funders ponder response to corruption  by Abid Aslam
The World Bank and other official financiers meet next month to discuss ways out of a corruption scandal reaching from the remote highlands of Lesotho to their own headquarters. Inter Press Service  October 21/1999

Acres International replies   by Oskar T. Sigvaldson
The National Post   August 27/1999

Foreign aid corruption case puts Canada on trial  by Patricia Adams
On the eve of the world's first foreign aid-related corruption court case -- one involving Canadian engineering giant Acres International -- the Canadian government agencies concerned mostly appear to be abdicating responsibility. National Post  August 20/1999

International firms in SA bribery scandal  by E. Ogoso Opolot
Several international construction companies that have handled major contracts in Uganda and Kenya have been named in a 12 million rand ($2.5 million) corruption scandal in South Africa and Lesotho. The East African   August 17/1999

International construction companies bribe top official
International construction companies bribe top official in large dam project for South Africa. Scandal highlights urgency of implementing OECD Convention against international corruption. Transparency International   August 9/1999

M12 million bribery scam on Sole  by Khutliso Sekoati
Masupha Sole is facing charges of bribery amounting to a stunning M12 million received from some international companies which were involved in the construction of the M10 billion Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Mopheme (Maseru)  August 9/1999

Lesotho project firms 'linked to scandals'  by David Greybe
Six of the dozen international companies implicated in the multimillion-rand Lesotho Highlands Water Project bribery case have been linked to other dam-building scandals. Business Day  August 5/1999

Bribery case highlights failings  by David Greybe
The multimillion-rand bribery and corruption case involving a former boss of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project could test the industrialized world's resolve to curb the offering of bribes by international business. Business Day  August 2/1999

Bribes by major international dam-building companies taint World Bank-funded Lesotho water project
A dozen major international dam-building companies involved in the World Bank-funded Lesotho Highlands Water Project(LHWP) have lavishly bribed at least one top official on the project. International Rivers Network Press Release  August 2/1999

Official faces charges over R12m bribes  by David Greybe
The Lesotho government yesterday charged its former top official at the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Masupha Sole, with taking R12m in bribes from a dozen international companies over 10 years. Business Day (Johannesburg)  July 29/1999

Lesotho dam's sea of debt could drown water conservation efforts  by Lori Pottinger
On June 4 the World Bank approved a loan for Mohale Dam, the second of five large dams in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). World Rivers Review   July 15/1998

Lesotho water transfers- no cause for celebration
Today marks the inauguration of the first water supply from Lesotho to South Africa. However, it is not a day to celebrate. Africa Policy Information Center  February 24/1998