The Chief Justice of Lesotho, Sakoane Sakoane, has announced the immediate operationalisation of a new division of the High Court of Lesotho in Mohale’s Hoek. The establishment of the Southern Division marks a significant institutional intervention aimed at alleviating persistent case backlogs and improving access to justice in the southern regions of the country.
The announcement was made during the official opening of the 2026 High Court session, where the Chief Justice acknowledged that systemic delays remain a structural challenge within Lesotho’s justice system. These delays, he noted, are exacerbated by the continued tendency of litigants to rely almost exclusively on formal court processes, rather than making use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
Addressing the “Labour of Sisyphus”
In a striking metaphor, Justice Sakoane described the judiciary’s struggle with backlogs as a “labour of Sisyphus,” an unending and frustrating task. The observation underscores a critical reality: without both structural reform and behavioural change within society, congestion in the courts is likely to persist.
The Chief Justice emphasised that while the promotion of ADR remains important, the most immediate and practical response lies in increasing judicial capacity and decentralising court operations. The creation of additional High Court divisions, closer to litigants, is thus framed as a necessary institutional adaptation rather than a mere administrative convenience.
Constitutional Basis for Judicial Reinforcement
In support of this decentralisation strategy, the Judicial Service Commission, acting under section 125 of the Constitution, advised King Letsie III to appoint additional acting judges to reinforce the High Court. This constitutional mechanism enables the judiciary to respond flexibly to operational pressures without undermining judicial independence.
The acting judges appointed are Advocate Sekake Malebanye KC, Advocate Tsebang Putsoane, Senior Resident Magistrate Manapo Motebele, Resident Magistrate Palesa Rantara, and Advocate Tsooana Lesaoana. Advocate Malebanye and Magistrate Rantara have been deployed to the newly established Southern Division in Mohale’s Hoek, which officially commenced judicial business this week and is scheduled to begin hearing cases on 16 February 2026.
Jurisdiction and Infrastructure
The Southern Division will initially operate from rented premises at the former Castle Rock Hotel, pending the construction of permanent court buildings near the Mohale’s Hoek Magistrates’ Court. Its territorial jurisdiction extends over Qacha’s Nek, Quthing, Mohale’s Hoek, and portions of the Mafeteng district.
The precise areas of Mafeteng to fall within the new division’s jurisdiction will be finalised following consultations involving the Richard Ramoeletsi and principal chiefs from Matelile, Ha Ramabanta, Kubake and Ribaneng. This consultative approach reflects sensitivity to local governance structures and traditional authority in defining judicial boundaries.
Strengthening the Northern Division
Judicial reinforcement has not been limited to the southern regions. Senior Resident Magistrate Motebele and Advocate Lesaoana have been assigned to the Northern Division of the High Court in Leribe, effectively doubling the number of judicial officers there from two to four. This redistribution of judicial resources reflects a broader national strategy to balance workloads across divisions.
Conclusion
The establishment of the Mohale’s Hoek High Court Division represents a concrete step towards decentralisation, enhanced judicial capacity, and improved access to justice. While structural reforms alone cannot resolve systemic delays, the measures announced by the Chief Justice signal a sustained institutional commitment to strengthening justice delivery across Lesotho. For litigants in outlying districts, the new division promises not only geographic proximity, but the prospect of more timely and effective resolution of long-pending disputes.