COMMITTEE REPORT ON LMPS RGULATIONS, 2025

PARLIAMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO

SENATE

LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

REPORT ON LESOTHO MOUNTED POLICE SERVICE (ADMINISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 2025

REPORT N0: 4                                                                                 MARCH 2026

PART I

  1. INTRODUCTION

Lesotho Mounted Police Service (Administration) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, was referred to the Committee on 11th September 2025 and subsequently referred to the Legislation Committee. Pursuant to Standing Order 51 (3), the Regulations were then referred to the Legislation Committee for consideration.

The report presents a summary of the Committee deliberations and recommendations on the Regulations.

1.1 TERMS OF REFERENCE

The terms of reference of the Legislation Committee are provided as follows in Standing Orders (90):

  • There shall be established under this Standing Order a Legislation Committee which shall continue for the term of the Senate.
  • The Legislation Committee shall, in accordance with these Standing Orders:-
  • Consider bills, subordinate laws tabled in accordance with section 27A of the Interpretation Act No. 19 of 1977 as amended, or other matters which are referred to it by the President or by resolution of the Senate;
  • Consider and investigate the constitutionality, legality, conflicting provisions and offensiveness of bills or subordinate laws or any provision thereof; and
  • Perform other functions, tasks and duties as may be resolved by the Senate.
  • The Legislation Committee may:-
  • Call for papers, hear oral evidence, which may, by resolution of the committee, be recorded and transcribed;
  • Consult and liaise with Government ministries and departments;
  • Ensure the attendance of any person at a meeting of the committee in terms of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act of 1994; and
  • Establish sub-committees
  • Upon conclusion of business laid down for their consideration, the legislation Committee must adopt a report and may make recommendations to the Senate which shall then take final decisions.

2.0 COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

1.       Hon. Senator S. Motsamai                          Chairperson

2.       Hon. Senator K.L.K. Theko

3.       Hon. Senator B.G.  Api

4.       Hon. Senator M. Kanetsi

5.       Hon. Senator Dr. T. Lebese

6.       Hon. Senator L.M.  Seeiso

7.       Hon. Senator M.M. Moshoeshoe

8.       Hon. Senator T. D.  Bereng

9.       Hon. Senator P.L.P.  Peete

10.     Hon. Senator S.B. Seeiso

11.     Hon. Senator L. Khoaele

12.     Hon. Senator M.T Mohale

13.     Hon. Senator J.A. Motśoene

14.     Hon. Senator S.S. Nkuebe

3.0 SECRETARIAT

Ms. ‘Maliako Lehloenya                                                  Committee Clerk

Mr. Steven Mokoaqo                                                      Committee Clerk

Mr. Tśeliso Papiso (Adv.)                                               Legal Officer

4.0 OPERATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

The Committee reviews the Bills referred from the National Assembly in line Standing Order 51 and Subordinate laws referred in accordance with Section 27B of the Interpretation (Amendment) Act of 1993.

PART II

5.0 BRIEF BY LESOTHO MOUNTED POLICE SERVICE (LMPS)

The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) presented the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (Administration) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 which revises the retirement age for the police officers. It was stated that the retirement ages of 55 years for senior officers and 50 years for junior officers led to a significant loss of institutional knowledge and technical expertise. As a result, LMPS was compelled to continually recruit new officers, a process that is both costly and disruptive to service continuity.

LMPS highlighted to the Committee that raising the retirement age to sixty (60) years aligns Lesotho’s policing standards with regional counterparts in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), where police officers generally retire between fifty eight (58) and sixty (60) years. They further informed the Committee that the amendment regulations will enable LMPS to retain skilled and experienced officers longer, improving efficiency and stability within the service.

The LMPS further indicated that the amendment regulations empowers the Commissioner of Police, in consultation with the Police Authority, to engage the services of individuals including retired police officers on a contractual basis. This provision ensures that officers with specialized skills, such as forensic analysis, cybercrime investigation, or intelligence work, can continue to contribute to national security efforts even after formal retirement.

Furthermore, the Regulations states that new recruits should have passed a General Certificate of Education with at least three credits, including a pass in English, further showing that, Officers with adequate educational background are better positioned to engage in cross-border operations, handle modern policing technologies, and represent the country professionally in regional and global law enforcement forums.

PART III

  • OBSERVATIONS

6.1 The extended retirement age to sixty (60) years is on the basis of retaining expertise, reducing training costs, and ensuring operational stability within the LMPS.

  •  Introducing the entry requirement of a General Certificate of Education with at least three credits, including a pass in English, is both necessary and forward-looking. However the Committee also noted that it would be ideal that the Lesotho Mounted Police Service be supported with continuous educational and professional development programs to strengthen communication, comprehension, and technical proficiency while police officers are still in office.

7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (Administration) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 be allowed to come into operation.

8.0 CONCLUSION

Subject to Standing Order 52 (3), the Legislation Committee wishes to submit the report for the adoption by the House.