In Lesotho, Chief Joel Motsweni expressed concerns about rising family disputes linked to the new inheritance law during a Senate session. He questioned the Justice Minister about the ministry’s awareness of increasing tensions and potential legal gaps, highlighting the law’s negative effects on vulnerable groups such as widows and orphans.
Chief Joel Motsweni of the Leribe region expressed his concerns before the Senate in Lesotho regarding the rising family disputes associated with the implementation of the 2024 Inheritance and Estates Law. He warned of its negative impacts on vulnerable groups such as widows and orphans.
During a parliamentary session, Motsweni directed pointed questions to Justice Minister Richard Ramoletsi, inquiring about the ministry’s awareness of the escalating tensions and whether measures were being taken to address legal gaps. In response, Ramoletsi denied any significant increase in cases related to estate management, asserting that records from the ministry and the office of the Chief Justice had not indicated any unusual surge since the law came into effect on April 2, 2024.
The new law abolished the customary system known as ‘Lerotholi’ laws, which granted the eldest son the right to inherit, replacing it with a system that ensures equality among all children, including those born outside of marriage. It also established mechanisms for managing the estates of minors, individuals with disabilities, and missing persons.
The law’s enactment was part of a legislative reform package that was a prerequisite for securing $322.5 million in funding from the Millennium Challenge Corporation. However, the United States withdrew this funding earlier this year following executive decisions by President Donald Trump to reduce foreign aid.
Despite the reformative goals of the law, several senators believe it has complicated family relationships, calling for a review and the involvement of traditional leadership and local communities to ensure the stability of the social fabric.
The new inheritance law in Lesotho, enacted in April 2024, replaced the traditional ‘Lerotholi’ laws that favored the eldest son in inheritance matters. This reform aimed to promote equality among all children, including those born out of wedlock, and to establish management mechanisms for the estates of minors and disabled individuals.
The law was part of a broader legislative reform package required for a $322.5 million Millennium Challenge Corporation funding, which was later withdrawn by the U.S. government due to foreign aid cuts under President Trump’s administration.