Lesotho Launches Nationwide Consultations to Improve Motor Vehicle Accident Fund Policy

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has launched nationwide consultations to collect public input on improving Lesotho’s Motor Vehicle Accident Fund policy. The initiative aims to create a fairer and more effective compensation system that better protects people injured or affected by road accidents. Through these consultations, government officials are engaging communities and stakeholders to identify weaknesses in the current legal framework and gather practical recommendations for reform. The discussions reflect growing concern that many road accident victims have not received adequate financial support despite suffering serious injuries, disabilities or the loss of loved ones. By reviewing the existing policy, the government hopes to develop a modern compensation system that responds to the realities faced by Basotho across the country.

The latest consultation meeting took place in Mafeteng on Monday, where representatives from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning met with local stakeholders to discuss the future of the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. Welcoming delegates to the meeting, Administration Manager Mr. Tsamaiso Tlolotlolo emphasized that road accidents continue to have devastating consequences for many families in Lesotho. He pointed out that victims often suffer severe injuries that require lengthy medical treatment, while others are left permanently disabled or lose their lives. These tragic outcomes place enormous financial and emotional burdens on affected families, many of whom struggle to pay hospital bills and rehabilitation costs. Mr. Tlolotlolo stressed that an effective compensation system is essential to provide meaningful support during these difficult circumstances.

Road accidents remain a major public concern in Lesotho, affecting thousands of motorists, passengers and pedestrians each year. Beyond the immediate injuries, victims frequently face long-term financial hardship due to lost income, expensive medical care and ongoing rehabilitation. Families may also become responsible for caring for injured relatives who are unable to return to work for months or even years. Without adequate compensation, these households often experience increased poverty and reduced quality of life. The government’s policy review seeks to address these realities by creating a system that provides stronger financial protection for all eligible victims.

Senior Legal Officer Mrs. Makabelo-Thethe Chitja explained that the policy review was initiated after widespread concerns from Basotho who believed they had not been fairly compensated following road accidents. She said many complaints highlighted weaknesses in the existing compensation framework and demonstrated the need for comprehensive legal reforms. According to Mrs. Chitja, the objective is to ensure that future legislation reflects constitutional principles of fairness, equality and justice. She noted that public consultations provide an opportunity for citizens to directly influence the design of a better compensation system. Their experiences and recommendations will help shape reforms that are more responsive to the needs of accident victims.

Mrs. Chitja outlined the history of road accident compensation in Lesotho, explaining that the system was originally governed by the Motor Vehicle Insurance Act of 1972. Under this legislation, every vehicle owner was required to obtain insurance so that victims of road accidents could receive compensation when accidents occurred. While the arrangement appeared effective in principle, it depended heavily on motorists consistently paying their monthly insurance premiums. Unfortunately, many vehicle owners failed to maintain their insurance payments, creating significant challenges for victims seeking compensation. As a result, numerous accident victims were left without the financial assistance they desperately needed.

To strengthen the compensation system, the government later introduced the Motor Vehicle Insurance Order No. 26 of 1989. Under this framework, compensation claims were administered through the Lesotho National Insurance Group, commonly known as LNIG. The revised arrangement sought to improve access to compensation while providing greater administrative oversight. Despite these improvements, Mrs. Chitja explained that the system continued to experience several shortcomings that affected the efficiency and fairness of claims processing. Delays in settling claims became a persistent concern, while compensation often failed to reflect the full extent of victims’ long-term medical needs.

One of the major concerns identified during the review is the way compensation has traditionally been calculated. Mrs. Chitja explained that compensation decisions were frequently based on medical reports prepared at a specific point during a victim’s treatment. This approach often failed to account for patients who remained hospitalized for extended periods or whose recovery required several years. Some accident victims experienced complications long after their initial assessments, yet their compensation did not reflect these developments. Consequently, many individuals found themselves facing ongoing medical expenses without sufficient financial support from the existing compensation system.

Another significant issue involves the legal deadline for submitting compensation claims. Under the current framework, victims generally have two years to lodge their claims after an accident. Mrs. Chitja noted that those who failed to meet this deadline were not eligible for compensation, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their cases. This requirement has disadvantaged many people, particularly those with prolonged medical treatment, delayed diagnoses or limited access to legal assistance. The restriction has contributed to situations where deserving victims receive no compensation despite suffering serious injuries.

Mrs. Chitja emphasized that these shortcomings demonstrate the urgent need for a new legal framework that aligns with Lesotho’s Constitution and guarantees fair and equitable treatment for all road accident victims. She said future reforms should ensure that compensation systems recognize the full impact of injuries rather than relying solely on early medical assessments. A revised framework should also improve administrative efficiency so that claims are processed more quickly and transparently. Building public confidence in the compensation process will be an important objective of the policy review. Ultimately, the government wants a system that protects victims while promoting fairness and accountability.

Participants at the Mafeteng consultation actively contributed ideas aimed at strengthening the proposed reforms. Among them, Mr. Selebeleng Selebeleng recommended extending the period allowed for lodging compensation claims so that victims are not unfairly excluded because of strict deadlines. He also proposed that the revised policy should provide fair compensation for individuals who are unable to work because of accident-related injuries and the resulting loss of income. In addition, he urged the government to introduce provisions for victims whose medical conditions deteriorate years after they have already received compensation. Such measures, he argued, would ensure that the system remains responsive to the long-term realities faced by accident survivors.

The nationwide consultations represent an important step toward modernizing Lesotho’s approach to road accident compensation and ensuring that the voices of citizens shape future legislation. By listening to stakeholders, legal experts and ordinary Basotho, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning is seeking practical solutions to long-standing challenges within the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund policy. The recommendations gathered during these meetings could lead to significant improvements that provide more comprehensive financial support for accident victims and their families. A fair, transparent and constitutionally compliant compensation system would not only improve access to justice but also strengthen public confidence in the country’s legal and insurance framework. As the consultation process continues across Lesotho, many road users and affected families will be hopeful that the final reforms deliver lasting protection and equitable compensation for everyone impacted by road accidents.