Lesotho PostBank held a press conference on the 13th July,2021 at its head office to respond to an alleged fraud article published in Public Eye dated 9th July,2021 titled “PENSIONER ACCUSES POSTBANK OF FRAUD”.

With reference to the article, the Bank replied as follows:

A complaint from its customer, Mr. Andreas Mateyisi, was received on 15th April 2021. The complaint followed the Bank’s complaints procedure as prescribed by the Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL). The complaint referred to herein is related to the cash withdrawal of four thousand Maloti (M4,000.00). The Bank investigated the complaint and found that indeed the customer’s funds amounting to M4,000.00 were withdrawn by one of our staff members who worked as a teller at Mapholaneng Branch. The customer was immediately refunded and disciplinary action was taken against the teller who was later dismissed in May 2021.

Subsequent to the complaint received, the Bank received correspondence from CBL on the 22nd June 2021, stating that Mr. Mateyisi alleged that cash amounting to one hundred and sixty-nine thousand Maloti (M169,000.00) was withdrawn from his account from 2008 to 2021. This complaint did not however follow the Bank’s complaints procedure. That is, the Bank did not receive any complaint from the customer relating to cash withdrawals amounting to M169,000.00. It suffices to say the customer did not give the Bank a chance to investigate and deal with the complaint but rather decided to lodge the matter with the CBL and media houses. Nonetheless, the Bank decided to investigate the allegations, and it was unveiled that all the cash withdrawal vouchers in our possession were signed by the customer. Therefore, on that basis the transactions were initiated by the customer.

Furthermore, it is surprising that the customer alleges his funds were withdrawn since 2008 yet he has never reported the matter to the Bank or the Police. However, the Bank has reported the matter to the Police to further investigate customer’s allegation of fraud.

The Lesotho PostBank Management wished to reassure its customers and the public at large that it continues to operate as regulated by the CBL and that customers’ funds are safe. The Bank has policies and procedures in place to address customers’ complaints and queries, therefore our customers were encouraged to approach the Bank whenever they have complaints through our toll-free number 80099920, social media pages, our branches or the office of the Managing Director.

THE MANAGEMENT