Ntjelo Petje & 6 Others V P.S Ministry of Forestry and Environment in RE: Moorosi Matela & 12 Others V The Government of Lesotho & 6 Others (CIV/APN/197/2019) [2025] LSHC 135 (9 June 2025)

Ntjelo Petje & 6 Others V P.S Ministry of Forestry and Environment in RE: Moorosi Matela & 12 Others V The Government of Lesotho & 6 Others (CIV/APN/197/2019) [2025] LSHC 135 (9 June 2025)

The 1st respondent is not guilty of contempt of court in respect of the 2nd to 7th applicants as substantial compliance with the court order was demonstrated, considering delays due to appeal and Covid-19. However, the 1st respondent is in contempt regarding the 1st applicant, as there was no evidence of compliance with the court order in his case.

Citation
[2025] LSHC 135
Parties
1st Applicant: Ntjelo Petje; 2nd Applicant: 'Mathabo Seilane; 3rd Applicant: 'Maletuka Shoapha; 4th Applicant: Thabang Motinyane; 5th Applicant: Jone Hlojeng; 6th Applicant: 'Malillo Malefane; 7th Applicant: 'Malineo Koete; 1st Respondent: P. S. Ministry of Forestry and Environment; 2nd Respondent: Ministry of Forestry and Environment; 3rd Respondent: The Attorney General
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Lesotho
Judgment Date
9 June 2025
Case Number
CIV/APN/197/2019
Procedural Posture
Civil Application / Judgment on Contempt of Court Application
Outcome
Partially allowed
Legal Topics
Contempt of Court, Compliance With Court Orders, Public Service Employment, Reinstatement, Costs
Source Language
English
Civil Procedure Employment Law Administrative Law Contempt of Court Compliance With Court Orders Public Service Employment Reinstatement Costs

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Parties

Ntjelo Petje

1st Applicant

'Mathabo Seilane

2nd Applicant

'Maletuka Shoapha

3rd Applicant

Thabang Motinyane

4th Applicant

Jone Hlojeng

5th Applicant

'Malillo Malefane

6th Applicant

'Malineo Koete

7th Applicant

P. S. Ministry of Forestry and Environment

1st Respondent

Ministry of Forestry and Environment

2nd Respondent

The Attorney General

3rd Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Application / Judgment on Contempt of Court Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the 1st respondent is in contempt of court for failing to comply with the court order regarding the applicants' employment.
  2. 2 Whether the respondents have complied with the court order in respect of all applicants.

Ratio Decidendi

The 1st respondent is not guilty of contempt of court in respect of the 2nd to 7th applicants as substantial compliance with the court order was demonstrated, considering delays due to appeal and Covid-19. However, the 1st respondent is in contempt regarding the 1st applicant, as there was no evidence of compliance with the court order in his case.

Court Disposition

Partially allowed

Orders

  • 1st respondent to purge contempt by complying with the court order in respect of the 1st applicant within four months of service of this order.
  • Failure to comply entitles the 1st applicant to approach the court for further relief.