With middlemen diverting cash into the Swiss bank accounts of a corrupt southern African official, the Lesotho Highlands Water project epitomizes graft in international construction. Continuing court activity this month and next will ensure that Lesotho remains a symbol of international constructions murky side and may help clean up the industry globally.
In Lesotho, a former government project director of the multibillion dollar Highlands dam and tunnel scheme is entering his second year in prison. He will stay there until 2020, barring parole. A key middleman died before facing the law and another local consultant pleaded guilty a few weeks ago. Two international design firms have been found guilty of bribery and a leading French contractor faces trial. More actions may follow.