…over AGM election snub
…claims move is aimed at extending current leadership’s tenure
Moorosi Tsiane
THE Law Society of Lesotho (LSL) is facing a legal challenge after one of its members accused it of attempting to sidestep democratic processes by excluding elections from the agenda of its upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Advocate (Adv) Leshoboro Makhalanyane has approached the High Court seeking an urgent order to halt the LSL’s AGM, scheduled for 26 June 2026, arguing that the current council is abusing its powers by omitting elections from the agenda.
Adv Makhalanyane alleges that the move is unprecedented and intended to unlawfully prolong the tenure of the current leadership under LSL president, Adv Lintle Tuke.
According to court papers, the Law Society has consistently held council elections during its AGMs since the current leadership assumed office in 2023.
Adv Makhalanyane states that during the June 2023 AGM held at Selibeng Conference Centre in Maseru, lawyers interested in contesting leadership positions were invited to participate in a formal nomination process, which culminated in the election of the current council.
He says the same procedure was followed in 2024 during the AGM held at Avani Maseru, where notices were circulated inviting aspiring candidates to submit nominations for various positions.
According to the application, the practice continued in 2025 when the AGM was hosted at Mahlakapese Lodges and Resort in Leribe.
“Another memo was issued on 9 June 2025 calling upon all those interested in contesting for the Law Society Council elections to collect, fill out and submit nomination forms by 19 June 2025,” Adv Makhalanyane states.
He argues that this repeated practice established a clear and consistent precedent of conducting elections as part of AGM proceedings.
“All of the above background from 2023 shows consistency in how the respondent (Law Society) has always conducted its affairs with regards to the conducting of the AGM and the elections of lawyers into the Council of the Law Society,” he states.
However, Adv Makhalanyane says he was taken aback when the Law Society circulated this year’s AGM notice.
Unlike previous years, the 2026 notice contains only two agenda items — consideration of the President’s Report and presentation of audited financial statements — with no mention of elections.
“Contrary to the normal way of doing things, this Notice only speaks of two agenda items to be discussed at the AGM; being the consideration of the President’s Report and the Audited Financial Statements.
“The Notice is silent on the election of Council members of the Law Society of Lesotho,” he argues.
Adv Makhalanyane says the omission directly affects him because he had intended to contest for the presidency or other council positions.
“I am particularly aggrieved with the exclusion of the elections to the leadership of the Respondent since this year I had resolved to contest for the presidential position and other portfolios.
“As a member of the Law Society in good standing, my rights to participate in the affairs of the Respondent have therefore been unlawfully extinguished without any lawful cause.”
In his application, Adv Makhalanyane is seeking an interim order stopping the Law Society from convening or proceeding with the AGM until the matter is fully heard and determined.
He also wants the court to bar the society from undertaking further logistical, financial or administrative preparations for the meeting, except steps necessary to notify members and service providers of its postponement.
As part of his final relief, Adv Makhalanyane wants the court to declare the exclusion of elections from the AGM agenda unlawful, irregular and inconsistent with the Law Society’s governing rules and established practice.
He further seeks an order compelling the Law Society to issue a fresh and lawful AGM notice that includes elections for council members and office bearers.
The application also seeks costs against the Law Society should it oppose the matter.
The case is expected to be argued before the High Court on Monday.
