Technical wrangles have bogged down the opening stages of the Lesotho bribery trial, in which top international firms are accused of bribing the former head of the Lesotho Highlands to develop the landlocked country’s water resources. Several giant dams and tunnel links are being built to move and sell water to surrounding South Africa.
After a delayed opening in capital Maseru on June 5, the trial was postponed again four days late so that prosecutors could ensure that the right company representatives are cited in the indictment.
The issue came to a head after lawyers for the Highlands Water Venture, a joint venture between British contractor Kier International and Italy’s Impregilo, said the group was not represented in court.
The prosecution cited R Bestagno as a representative of the Highlands Water Venture. Defence attorneys said all companies in the consortium at the time of the offence had to be cited, or the then members of its governing body.
Lawyers for French power engineer Sogreah said the indictment has yet to be served, but that Andrew Griffith was incorrectly cited as the firm’s representative.
All the firms have denied all charges of wrongdoing.
