Lesotho

Constitution of Lesotho (1993, last amended 2011)

Updated: June 2015

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Section 20, subsection 1 states:

Every citizen of Lesotho shall enjoy the right:…

  • (b) to vote or to stand for election at periodic elections under this Constitution under a system of universal and equal suffrage and secret ballot…

 

Excerpt from the Constitution of Lesotho (1993, last amended 2011)

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Section 6, subsection 1 states:

Every person shall be entitled to personal liberty, that is to say, he shall not be arrested or detained save as may be authorized by law in any of the following cases, that is to say:…

  • (g) for the purpose of preventing the spread of an infectious or contagious disease;
  • (h) in the case of a person who is, or is reasonably suspected to be, of unsound mind, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or a vagrant, for the purpose of his care and treatment or the protection of the community…

 

Section 45, subsection 3 states:

Whenever  the  holder  of  the  office  of  King  or  a Regent— …

  • (b)  is  suffering  from  an  illness  which  the  College  of Chiefs has reason to believe will be of short duration, the College of Chiefs may for the time being designate a  person,  in  accordance  with  the customary  law  of Lesotho,  to  exercise  the  functions  of  the  office  of King,  and  any  person  for  the  time  being  so  designated may  exercise  all  the  functions  of  the  office  of  King during  the  absence  or  illness  of  the holder  of  that office or the Regent.

 

Section 46, subsection 1 states:
The College of Chiefs may at any time designate, in accordance  with  the  customary  law  of  Lesotho,  the person  (or  the  persons,  in  order  of  prior  right)  who shall be Regent, that is to say, who shall exercise the functions of the office of King in any of the following circumstances— …

  • (b) when the holder of that office (and any person who has  been  designated  as  having  a  prior  right  to  be Regent) is unable by reason of absence from Lesotho or by reason of infirmity of body or mind to exercise the functions of that office…and  if,  in  any  of  those  circumstances,  there  is  a person  who  has  previously  been  designated  in  pursuance of  this  subsection  and  who  is  capable  under  the customary  law  of  Lesotho  of  becoming  Regent,  that person (or, if there is more than one such person, that one of them who has been designated as having the first right to be Regent) shall become Regent.

 

Section 53, subsection 1 states:

If, in the opinion of the Prime Minister— …

  • (c) the King is unable to perform the functions of his office due to infirmity of body or mind, the Prime Minister may report the facts thereof to the National Assembly and the Senate.

 

Section 57, subsection 3 states:

No person shall be qualified to be registered as an elector in elections to the National Assembly who, at the date of his application to be registered:…

  • (c) is, under any law in force in Lesotho, adjudged or otherwise declared to be of unsound mind.

 

Section 58 states:

(1) Subject to the provisions of section 59 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly if, and shall not be so qualified unless, at the date of his nomination for election, he…

  • (b) is able to speak, and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read and write either the Sesotho or English language well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of the National Assembly.

(2)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  section  59  of  this Constitution, a person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly if, and shall not be  so  qualified  unless,  at  the  date  of  his  nomination for election, he— …

  • (c)  is  able  to  speak  and,  unless  incapacitated  by blindness  or  other  physical  cause,  to  read  and  write either  the  Sesotho  or  English  language  well  enough  to take an active part in the proceedings of the National Assembly.

 

Section 59, subsection 1 states:

No person shall be qualified to be nominated as a Senator by the King…if, at the date of his nomination or designation or, as the case may be, at the date of his nomination for election, he:…

  • (c) is under any law in force in Lesotho, adjudged or otherwise declared to be of unsound mind…

 

Section 60, subsection 2 states:

Parliament  may, in order to permit any  member  of either House of Parliament who has been  sentenced to death,  adjudged  or  declared  to be  of unsound mind, adjudged or declared insolvent or convicted or reported guilty of any offence  prescribed under  section  57(4), 57(7)  or 59(3)  of  this Constitution to appeal against the decision in accordance with any law, provide that, subject  to such conditions  as  may be prescribed  by Parliament, the decision shall not have effect for the purpose  of  this  section  until  such  time  as  may  be  so prescribed.

 

Section 66 states:

…(4)  A  member  of  the  Commission  may  be  removed  from office only for inability to exercise the functions of his  office  (whether  arising  from  infirmity  of  body  or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not  be  so  removed  except  in  accordance  with  the provisions of this section.

(5)  A  member  of  the  Commission  shall  be  removed  from office by the King if the question of his removal from office has been referred to a tribunal appointed under subsection (6) and the tribunal has recommended to the King  that  he  ought  to  be  removed  from  office  for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(6) If the Chairman of the Commission represents to the King  that  the  question  of  removing  a  member  of  the Commission under this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to  him  whether  the  member  ought  to  be  removed  under this section.

(7)  If  the  question  of  removing  a  member  of  the Commission  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under  this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of  the  Chairman  of  the  Commission,  may  suspend  that member from the exercise of the functions of his office and  any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such  advice  as aforesaid,  and  shall  in  any  case  cease  to  have  effect if the tribunal recommends to the King that that member should not be removed.

(8) The Chairman of the Commission and any other member of  the  Commission  who  is  a  judge  of  the  High  Court  or of  the  Court  of  Appeal  shall  be  removed  by  the  King from  his  office  as  a  member  of  the  Commission  if,  and shall  not  be  so  removed  unless,  he  is  removed  under section 121 or, as the case may be, section 125 of this Constitution  from  his  office  as  a  judge;  and, accordingly,  the  provisions  of  subsections  (5)  and  (6) shall  not  apply  in  relation  to  the  Chairman  or  such  a member….

 

Section 80, subsection 6 states:

Any function that, under this section, falls to be exercised by the Speaker of the National Assembly may, if  he  is  absent  or  is  for  any  other  reason  unable  to exercise  the  functions  of  his  office,  be  exercised  by the Deputy Speaker.

 

Section 90, subsection 1 states:

Whenever the Prime Minister is absent from Lesotho or  is  by  reason  of  illness  unable  to  exercise  the functions  conferred  on  him  by  this  Constitution,  those functions  (other  than  the  functions  conferred  by  this section) shall be exercised by—

  • (a) the Deputy Prime Minister; or
  • (b) if the office of Deputy Prime Minister is vacant or the Deputy Prime Minister is absent from Lesotho or is by  reason  of  illness  unable  to  exercise  the  functions of the office of Prime Minister, by such other Minister as the King may authorise in that behalf.

 

Section 120 states:

…(4)  If  the  office  of  Chief  Justice  is  vacant  or  the Chief Justice is for any reason unable to exercise the functions of his office, then, until a person has been appointed  to  and  has  assumed  the  functions  of  that office  or  until  the  person  holding  that  office  has resumed those functions, as the case may be, they shall be exercised by such one of the judges of the Court of Appeal  or  the  puisne  judges  or  such  other  person qualified to be appointed as a judge of the High Court as  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of the  Prime  Minister,  may  appoint.  Before  rendering advice to the King for the purposes of this subsection the  Prime  Minister  shall  consult  the  Chief  Justice  if he is available…

(5)  If  the  office  of  any  puisne  judge  is  vacant  or  if any such judge is appointed to act as Chief Justice or is  for  any  reason  unable  to  perform  the  functions  of his  office  or  if  the  Chief  Justice  advises  the  King that  the  state  of  business  in  the  High  Court  so requires,  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  the advice  of  the  Judicial  Service  Commission,  may  appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed as a judge of the High Court to act as a puisne judge of that Court...

 

Section 121 states:

…(3)  The  Chief  Justice  and  any  other  judge  of  the  High Court may be removed from office only for inability to perform  the  functions  of  his  office  (whether  arising from  infirmity  of  body  or  mind  or  any  other  cause)  or for misbehaviour and shall not be so removed except in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(4)  The  Chief  Justice  and  any  other  judge  of  the  High Court  shall  be  removed  from  office  by  the  King  if  the question  of  his  removal  has  been  referred  by  the  King to  a  tribunal  appointed  under  subsection  (5)  and  the tribunal has advised the King that the Chief Justice or the judge ought to be removed from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(5)  If  the  Prime  Minister  or,  in  the  case  of  a  puisne judge,  the  Chief  Justice  represents  to  the  King  that the  question  of  removing  a  judge  under  this  section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of subsection (6) from among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report on the facts thereof to the King and advise the King  on  what  action  is  to  be  taken  in  relation  to  the Chief Justice or other judge.

(6) When the question of removing the Chief Justice is to be investigated the members of the tribunal shall be selected  by  the  Prime  Minister,  and  when  the  question of  removing  a  puisne  judge  is  to  be  investigated  they shall be selected by the Chief Justice.

(7) If the question of removing the Chief Justice or a judge from office has been referred to a tribunal under subsection (5), the King, acting in accordance with the advice  of  the  Prime  Minister  in  the  case  of  the  Chief Justice and acting in accordance with the advice of the Chief  Justice  in  the  case  of  a  puisne  judge,  may suspend  the  Chief  Justice,  or  as  the  case  may  be,  the judge, from the exercise of the functions of his office and  any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such  advice  as aforesaid,  and  shall  in  any  case  cease  to  have  effect if the tribunal advises the King that the Chief Justice or the judge should not be removed from office…

 

Section 124 states:

(4)  If  the  office  of  President  is  vacant  or  the President  is  for  any  reason  unable  to  exercise  the functions of his office, then, until a person has been appointed  to  and  has  assumed  the  functions  of  that office  or  until  the  person  holding  that  office  has resumed those functions, as the case may be, they shall be exercised by such one of the judges of the Court of Appeal  or  such  other  person  qualified  to  be  appointed as  a  judge  of  the  Court  of  Appeal  as  the  King,  acting in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  the  Prime  Minister, may  appoint.  Before  tendering  advice  to  the  King  for the  purposes  of  this  subsection,  the  Prime  Minister shall consult the President if he is available…

(5)  If  the  office  of  a  Justice of  Appeal  is  vacant  or if  any  such  Justice  of  Appeal  is  appointed  to  act  as President  or  is  for  any  reason  unable  to  perform  the functions  of  his  office,  or  if  the  President  advises the  King  that  the  state  of  business  in  the  Court  of Appeal so requires, the King, acting in accordance with the  advice  of  the  Judicial  Service  Commission  after consultation  with  the  President,  may  appoint  a  person who is qualified to be appointed as a Justice of Appeal to act as a Justice of Appeal…

 

Section 125 states:

…(3) An appointed judge may be removed from office only for inability  to  perform  the  functions  of  his  office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other  cause)  or  for misbehaviour  and  shall  not  be  so removed  except  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of this section.

(4) An appointed judge shall be removed from office by the  King  if  the  question  of  his  removal  has  been referred  by  the  King  to  a  tribunal  appointed  under subsection  (5)  and  the  tribunal  has  advised  the  King that  the  appointed  judge  ought  to  be  removed  from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(5) If the Prime Minister or, in the case of a Justice of  Appeal,  the  President  represents  to  the  King  that the question of removing an appointed judge under this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of subsection (6) from among persons who hold or have held high judicial office;
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report on the facts thereof to the King and advise the King  whether  the  appointed  judge  ought  to  be  removed from  office  under  this  section  for  inability  as aforesaid or for misbehaviour. 

(6)  When  the  question  of  removing  the  President  is  to be  investigated,  the  members  of  the  tribunal  shall  be selected  by  the  Prime  Minister  and,  when  the  question of removing a Justice of Appeal is to be investigated, the  members  of  the  tribunal  shall  be  selected  by  the President.

(7) If the question of removing an appointed judge from office has been referred to a tribunal under subsection (5), the King, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister in the case of the President and in accordance with the advice of the President in the case of  Justice  of  Appeal,  may  suspend  the  appointed  judge from  the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  his  office  and any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such  advice  as aforesaid,  and  shall  in  any  case  cease  to  have  effect if  the  tribunal  advises  the  King  that  the  appointed judge should not be removed from office…

 

Section 132 states:

…(3)  The  appointed  member  of  the  [Judicial Service] Commission  may  be removed from office only for inability to exercise the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and  shall  not  be  so  removed  except  in  accordance  with the provisions of this section.

(4)  The  appointed  member  of  the  Commission  shall  be removed from office by the King if the question of his removal  from  office  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal appointed  under  subsection  (5)  and  the  tribunal  has recommended  to  the  King  that  he  ought  to  be  removed from  office  for  inability  as  aforesaid  or  for misbehaviour.

(5) If the Chairman of the Commission represents to the King that the question of removing the appointed member of  the  Commission  under  this  section  ought  to  be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Commission from among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to him whether the appointed member ought to be removed under this section. 

(6) If the question of removing the appointed member of the  Commission  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under this  section,  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  the advice  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Commission,  may  suspend that  member  from  the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  his office  and  any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be revoked  by  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such advice as aforesaid and shall in any case cease to have effect  if  the  tribunal  recommends  to  the  King  that member should not be removed.

(7)  If  the  office  of  the  appointed  member  of  the Commission  is  vacant  or  if  the  person  holding  that office  is  for  any  reason  unable  to  exercise  the functions of his office, the King, acting in accordance with  the  advice  of  the  Chief  Justice,  may  appoint  a person  who  is  qualified  to  be  the  appointed  member  to act as that member, and any person so appointed shall, subject  to  the  provisions  of  subsection  (2),  continue to act until the office in which he is acting is filled or,  as  the  case  may  be,  until  the  holder  thereof resumes  his  functions  or  until  his  appointment  to  act is  revoked  by  the  King  acting  in  accordance  with  the advice of the Chief Justice…

 

Section 134 states:

A person holding the office of Ombudsman may be removed from office only for inability to exercise the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not be removed except in accordance with the provisions of subsection (3).

 

Section 136 states:

…(5)  A  member  of  the [Public Service] Commission may  be  removed  from office only for inability to exercise the functions of his  office  (whether  arising  from  infirmity  of  body  or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour (including failure  to  discharge  his  duties  in  a  fair  manner  free from  prejudice)  and  shall  not  be  removed  except  in accordance with this section.

(6)  A  member  of  the  Commission  shall  be  removed  from office by the King if the question of his removal from office has been referred to a tribunal appointed under subsection (7) and the tribunal has recommended to the King  that  he  ought  to  be  removed  from  office  for inability or for misbehaviour.

(7)  If  the  Prime  Minister  in  the  case  of  the  Chairman of  the  Commission  or  the  Chairman  in  the  case  of  any other  member  represents  to  the  King  that  the  question of  removing  a member  of  the  Commission  under  this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to  him  whether  the  member  ought  to  be  removed  under this section.

(8)  If  the  question  of  removing  a  member  of  the Commission  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under  this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of the Chief Justice, may suspend that member from the exercise  of  the  functions  of  his  office  and  any  such suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the  King, acting in accordance with such advice as aforesaid, and shall in any case cease to have effect if the tribunal recommends  to  the  King  that  that  member  should  not  be removed.

(9)  If  the  office  of  Chairman  of  the  Commission  is vacant or if the person holding that office is for any reason unable to exercise the functions of his office, then,  until  a  person  has  been  appointed  to  and  has assumed  the  functions  of  that  office  or  until  the person holding that office has resumed those functions, as the case may be, they shall be exercised by such one of  the  other  members  of  the  Commission  as  may  for  the time  being  be  designated  in  that  behalf  by  the  King, acting  in accordance  with  the  advice  of  the  Judicial Service Commission.

(10) If at any time there are less than two members of the  Commission  besides  the  Chairman  or  if  any  such member  is  appointed  to  act  as  Chairman  or  is  for  any reason unable to exercise the functions of his office, the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  the Judicial  Service  Commission,  may  appoint  a  person  who is  qualified  to  be  appointed  as  a  member  of  the Commission  to  act  as  a  member,  and  any  person  so appointed  shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of subsection  (4),  continue  to  act  until  the  office  in which he is acting has been filled or, as the case may be, until the holder thereof has resumed his functions or until his appointment to act has been revoked by the King, acting in accordance with the advice  of  the Judicial Service Commission.

 

Section 138 states:

…(2) If the office of Chief Electoral Officer is vacant or  if  the  Chief  Electoral  Officer  is  for  any  reason unable  to  exercise  the  functions  of  his  office,  a person  may  be  appointed  to  act  as  Chief  Electoral Officer, and any person so appointed shall, subject to the  provisions  of  subsections  (3),  (5)  and  (7), continue  to  act  until  a  person  has  been  appointed  to the  office  of  Chief  Electoral  Officer  and  has  assumed the  functions  of  that  office  or,  as  the  case  may  be, until  the  person  in  whose  place  he  is  acting  has resumed those functions.

(3)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  subsection  (5),  the Chief Electoral Officer shall vacate his office when he attains the prescribed age.

(4)  A  person  holding  the  office  of  Chief  Electoral Officer  may  be  removed  from  office  only  for  inability to  exercise  the  functions  of  his  office  (whether arising  from  infirmity  of  body  or  mind  or  any  other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not be so removed except  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this section.

(5)  The  Chief  Electoral  Officer  shall  be  removed  from office by the King if the question of his removal from office has been referred to a tribunal appointed under subsection (6) and the tribunal has recommended to the King  that  he  ought to  be  removed  for  inability  as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(6) If the Council of State represents to the King that the  question  of  removing  the  Chief  Electoral  Officer under this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to him whether the Chief Electoral Officer ought to be removed under this section.

(7)  If  the  question  of  removing  the  Chief  Electoral Officer  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under  this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of  the  Council  of  State,  may  suspend  the  Chief Electoral Officer from the exercise of the functions of his  office  and  any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be revoked  by  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such advice  as  aforesaid,  and  shall  in  any  case  cease  to have effect if the tribunal recommends to the King that the Chief Electoral Officer should not be removed…

 

Section 140 states:

…(3)  If  the  office  of  Attorney-General  is  vacant  or  if the  Attorney-General  is  for  any  reason  unable  to exercise  the  functions  of  his  office,  a  person qualified  for  appointment  to  that  office  may  be appointed  to  act  therein,  and  any  person  so  appointed shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  subsections  (4), (6)  and  (8),  continue  to  act  until  a  person  has  been appointed  to  the  office  of  Attorney-General  and  has assumed  the  functions  of  that  office  or,  as  the  case may  be,  until  the  person  in  whose  place  he  is  acting has resumed those functions.

(4)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  subsection  (6),  the Attorney-General  shall  vacate  his  office  when  he attains the prescribed age.

(5) A person holding the office of Attorney-General may be  removed  from  office  only  for  inability  to  exercise the  functions  of  his  office  (whether  arising  from infirmity  of  body  or  mind  or  any  other  cause)  or  for misbehaviour  and  shall  not  be  so  removed  except  in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(6)  The  Attorney-General  shall  be  removed  from  office by the King if the question of his removal from office has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  appointed  under subsection (7) and the tribunal has recommended to the King  that  he  ought  to  be  removed  for  inability  as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(7)  If  the  Prime  Minister  represents  to  the  King  that the  question  of  removing  the  Attorney-General  under this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to him whetherthe Attorney-General ought to be removed under this section.

(8)  If  the  question  of  removing  the  Attorney-General has been referred to a tribunal under this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister,  may  suspend  the  Attorney-General  from  the exercise  of  the  functions  of  his  office  and  any  such suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the  King, acting in accordance with such advice as aforesaid, and shall in any case cease to have effect if the tribunal recommends to the King that the Attorney-General should not be removed…

 

Section 141 states:

…(2) If the office of Director of Public Prosecutions is vacant or if the Director of Public Prosecutions is for any  reason  unable  to  exercise  the  functions  of  his office, a person  qualified for appointment  to  that office may be appointed to act therein, and any person so appointed  shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of subsections (3), (5)  and (7), continue  to  act  until  a person has been appointed to the office of Director of Public  Prosecutions  and  has  assumed  the functions  of that office or, as the case may be, until the person in whose place he is acting has resumed those functions.

(3)  Subject  to  the  provisions of subsection (5), the Director of Public Prosecutions shall vacate his office when he attains the prescribed age.

(4)  A  person  holding  the  office  of  Director of Public Prosecutions  may  be  removed  from  office  only  for inability to exercise the  functions  of  his  office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other  cause)  or  for  misbehaviour  and  shall  not  be  so removed except  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of this section.

(5)  The  Director of Public  Prosecutions  shall  be removed from office by the King if the question of his removal  from  office  has  been  referred to a tribunal appointed under subsection (6) and  the tribunal has recommended to the King that he ought to be removed for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(6) If the Prime Minister or the Chairman of the Public Service  Commission  represents  to  the  King  that  the question  of  removing  the  Director  of  Public Prosecutions  under  this  section  ought  to  be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to  him  whether  the  Director  of  Public  Prosecutions ought to be removed under this section.

(7) If the question of removing the Director of Public Prosecutions has been referred to a tribunal under this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of  the  Public  Service  Commission,  may  suspend  the Director  of  Public  Prosecutions  from  the  exercise  of the functions of his office and any such suspension may at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the  King,  acting  in accordance with such advice as aforesaid, and shall in any  case  cease  to  have  effect  if  the  tribunal recommends  to  the  King  that  the  Director  of  Public Prosecutions should not be removed…

 

Section 142 states:

…(2) If  the office of  Auditor-General  is  vacant  or  if the  Auditor-General  is  for  any  reason  unable  to exercise  the  functions  of  his  office,  a  person  may  be appointed to act as Auditor-General, and any person so appointed  shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of subsections  (3),  (5)  and  (7),  continue  to  act  until  a person  has  been  appointed  to  the  office  of  Auditor-General  and  has  assumed  the  functions  of  that  office or, as the case may be, until the person in whose place he is acting has resumed those functions.

(3)  Subject to the provisions of subsection (5), the Auditor-General shall vacate his office when he attains the prescribed age.

(4) A person holding the office of Auditor-General may be  removed  from  office  only  for  inability  to  exercise the  functions  of  his  office  (whether  arising  from infirmity  of  body  or  mind  or  any  other  cause)  or  for misbehaviour  and  shall  not  be  so  removed  except  in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(5) The Auditor-General shall be removed from office by the King if the question of his removal from office has been  referred  to  a  tribunal  appointed  under  subsection (6)  and  the  tribunal  has  recommended  to  the  King  that he  ought  to  be  removed  for  inability  as  aforesaid  or for misbehaviour.

(6)  If  the  Prime  Minister  represents  to  the  King  that the question of removing the Auditor-General under this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to him whether the Auditor-General ought to be removed under this section.

(7) If the question of removing the Auditor-General has been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under  this  section,  the King, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister,  may  suspend  the  Auditor-General  from  the exercise  of  the  functions  of  his  office  and  any  such suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the  King, acting in accordance with such advice as aforesaid, and shall in any case cease to have effect if the tribunal recommends  to  the  King  that  the  Auditor-General  should not be removed...

 

Section 155, subsection 6 states:

Where  this  Constitution  vests  in  any  person  or authority the power to appoint any person to act in or to  exercise  the  functions  of  any  office  if  the  holder thereof  (or  any  other  person  having  a  prior  right  to exercise those functions) is himself unable to exercise those functions, no such appointment shall be called in question  on  the  ground  that  the  holder  of  the  office (or that other person) was not unable to exercise those functions.

 

Excerpts from the Constitution of Lesotho (1993, last amended 2011)

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Section 45, subsection 3 states:

Whenever  the  holder  of  the  office  of  King  or  a Regent— …

  • (b)  is  suffering  from  an  illness  which  the  College  of Chiefs has reason to believe will be of short duration, the College of Chiefs may for the time being designate a  person,  in  accordance  with  the customary  law  of Lesotho,  to  exercise  the  functions  of  the  office  of King,  and  any  person  for  the  time  being  so  designated may  exercise  all  the  functions  of  the  office  of  King during  the  absence  or  illness  of  the holder  of  that office or the Regent.

 

Section 46, subsection 1 states:
The College of Chiefs may at any time designate, in accordance  with  the  customary  law  of  Lesotho,  the person  (or  the  persons,  in  order  of  prior  right)  who shall be Regent, that is to say, who shall exercise the functions of the office of King in any of the following circumstances— …

  • (b) when the holder of that office (and any person who has  been  designated  as  having  a  prior  right  to  be Regent) is unable by reason of absence from Lesotho or by reason of infirmity of body or mind to exercise the functions of that office…and  if,  in  any  of  those  circumstances,  there  is  a person  who  has  previously  been  designated  in  pursuance of  this  subsection  and  who  is  capable  under  the customary  law  of  Lesotho  of  becoming  Regent,  that person (or, if there is more than one such person, that one of them who has been designated as having the first right to be Regent) shall become Regent.

 

Section 53, subsection 1 states:

If, in the opinion of the Prime Minister— …

  • (c) the King is unable to perform the functions of his office due to infirmity of body or mind, the Prime Minister may report the facts thereof to the National Assembly and the Senate.

 

Section 57, subsection 3 states:

No person shall be qualified to be registered as an elector in elections to the National Assembly who, at the date of his application to be registered:…

  • (c) is, under any law in force in Lesotho, adjudged or otherwise declared to be of unsound mind.

 

Section 58 states:

(1) Subject to the provisions of section 59 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly if, and shall not be so qualified unless, at the date of his nomination for election, he…

  • (b) is able to speak, and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read and write either the Sesotho or English language well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of the National Assembly.

(2)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  section  59  of  this Constitution, a person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly if, and shall not be  so  qualified  unless,  at  the  date  of  his  nomination for election, he— …

  • (c)  is  able  to  speak  and,  unless  incapacitated  by blindness  or  other  physical  cause,  to  read  and  write either  the  Sesotho  or  English  language  well  enough  to take an active part in the proceedings of the National Assembly.

 

Section 59, subsection 1 states:

No person shall be qualified to be nominated as a Senator by the King…if, at the date of his nomination or designation or, as the case may be, at the date of his nomination for election, he:…

  • (c) is under any law in force in Lesotho, adjudged or otherwise declared to be of unsound mind…

 

Section 60, subsection 2 states:

Parliament  may, in order to permit any  member  of either House of Parliament who has been  sentenced to death,  adjudged  or  declared  to be  of unsound mind, adjudged or declared insolvent or convicted or reported guilty of any offence  prescribed under  section  57(4), 57(7)  or 59(3)  of  this Constitution to appeal against the decision in accordance with any law, provide that, subject  to such conditions  as  may be prescribed  by Parliament, the decision shall not have effect for the purpose  of  this  section  until  such  time  as  may  be  so prescribed.

 

Section 66 states:

…(4)  A  member  of  the  Commission  may  be  removed  from office only for inability to exercise the functions of his  office  (whether  arising  from  infirmity  of  body  or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not  be  so  removed  except  in  accordance  with  the provisions of this section.

(5)  A  member  of  the  Commission  shall  be  removed  from office by the King if the question of his removal from office has been referred to a tribunal appointed under subsection (6) and the tribunal has recommended to the King  that  he  ought  to  be  removed  from  office  for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(6) If the Chairman of the Commission represents to the King  that  the  question  of  removing  a  member  of  the Commission under this section ought to be investigated, then— (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to  him  whether  the  member  ought  to  be  removed  under this section.

(7)  If  the  question  of  removing  a  member  of  the Commission  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under  this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of  the  Chairman  of  the  Commission,  may  suspend  that member from the exercise of the functions of his office and  any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such  advice  as aforesaid,  and  shall  in  any  case  cease  to  have  effect if the tribunal recommends to the King that that member should not be removed.

(8) The Chairman of the Commission and any other member of  the  Commission  who  is  a  judge  of  the  High  Court  or of  the  Court  of  Appeal  shall  be  removed  by  the  King from  his  office  as  a  member  of  the  Commission  if,  and shall  not  be  so  removed  unless,  he  is  removed  under section 121 or, as the case may be, section 125 of this Constitution  from  his  office  as  a  judge;  and, accordingly,  the  provisions  of  subsections  (5)  and  (6) shall  not  apply  in  relation  to  the  Chairman  or  such  a member….

 

Section 80, subsection 6 states:

Any function that, under this section, falls to be exercised by the Speaker of the National Assembly may, if  he  is  absent  or  is  for  any  other  reason  unable  to exercise  the  functions  of  his  office,  be  exercised  by the Deputy Speaker.

 

Section 90, subsection 1 states:

Whenever the Prime Minister is absent from Lesotho or  is  by  reason  of  illness  unable  to  exercise  the functions  conferred  on  him  by  this  Constitution,  those functions  (other  than  the  functions  conferred  by  this section) shall be exercised by—

  • (a) the Deputy Prime Minister; or
  • (b) if the office of Deputy Prime Minister is vacant or the Deputy Prime Minister is absent from Lesotho or is by  reason  of  illness  unable  to  exercise  the  functions of the office of Prime Minister, by such other Minister as the King may authorise in that behalf.

 

Section 120 states:

…(4)  If  the  office  of  Chief  Justice  is  vacant  or  the Chief Justice is for any reason unable to exercise the functions of his office, then, until a person has been appointed  to  and  has  assumed  the  functions  of  that office  or  until  the  person  holding  that  office  has resumed those functions, as the case may be, they shall be exercised by such one of the judges of the Court of Appeal  or  the  puisne  judges  or  such  other  person qualified to be appointed as a judge of the High Court as  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of the  Prime  Minister,  may  appoint.  Before  rendering advice to the King for the purposes of this subsection the  Prime  Minister  shall  consult  the  Chief  Justice  if he is available…

(5)  If  the  office  of  any  puisne  judge  is  vacant  or  if any such judge is appointed to act as Chief Justice or is  for  any  reason  unable  to  perform  the  functions  of his  office  or  if  the  Chief  Justice  advises  the  King that  the  state  of  business  in  the  High  Court  so requires,  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  the advice  of  the  Judicial  Service  Commission,  may  appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed as a judge of the High Court to act as a puisne judge of that Court...

 

Section 121 states:

…(3)  The  Chief  Justice  and  any  other  judge  of  the  High Court may be removed from office only for inability to perform  the  functions  of  his  office  (whether  arising from  infirmity  of  body  or  mind  or  any  other  cause)  or for misbehaviour and shall not be so removed except in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(4)  The  Chief  Justice  and  any  other  judge  of  the  High Court  shall  be  removed  from  office  by  the  King  if  the question  of  his  removal  has  been  referred  by  the  King to  a  tribunal  appointed  under  subsection  (5)  and  the tribunal has advised the King that the Chief Justice or the judge ought to be removed from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(5)  If  the  Prime  Minister  or,  in  the  case  of  a  puisne judge,  the  Chief  Justice  represents  to  the  King  that the  question  of  removing  a  judge  under  this  section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of subsection (6) from among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report on the facts thereof to the King and advise the King  on  what  action  is  to  be  taken  in  relation  to  the Chief Justice or other judge.

(6) When the question of removing the Chief Justice is to be investigated the members of the tribunal shall be selected  by  the  Prime  Minister,  and  when  the  question of  removing  a  puisne  judge  is  to  be  investigated  they shall be selected by the Chief Justice.

(7) If the question of removing the Chief Justice or a judge from office has been referred to a tribunal under subsection (5), the King, acting in accordance with the advice  of  the  Prime  Minister  in  the  case  of  the  Chief Justice and acting in accordance with the advice of the Chief  Justice  in  the  case  of  a  puisne  judge,  may suspend  the  Chief  Justice,  or  as  the  case  may  be,  the judge, from the exercise of the functions of his office and  any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such  advice  as aforesaid,  and  shall  in  any  case  cease  to  have  effect if the tribunal advises the King that the Chief Justice or the judge should not be removed from office…

 

Section 124 states:

(4)  If  the  office  of  President  is  vacant  or  the President  is  for  any  reason  unable  to  exercise  the functions of his office, then, until a person has been appointed  to  and  has  assumed  the  functions  of  that office  or  until  the  person  holding  that  office  has resumed those functions, as the case may be, they shall be exercised by such one of the judges of the Court of Appeal  or  such  other  person  qualified  to  be  appointed as  a  judge  of  the  Court  of  Appeal  as  the  King,  acting in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  the  Prime  Minister, may  appoint.  Before  tendering  advice  to  the  King  for the  purposes  of  this  subsection,  the  Prime  Minister shall consult the President if he is available…

(5)  If  the  office  of  a  Justice of  Appeal  is  vacant  or if  any  such  Justice  of  Appeal  is  appointed  to  act  as President  or  is  for  any  reason  unable  to  perform  the functions  of  his  office,  or  if  the  President  advises the  King  that  the  state  of  business  in  the  Court  of Appeal so requires, the King, acting in accordance with the  advice  of  the  Judicial  Service  Commission  after consultation  with  the  President,  may  appoint  a  person who is qualified to be appointed as a Justice of Appeal to act as a Justice of Appeal…

 

Section 125 states:

…(3) An appointed judge may be removed from office only for inability  to  perform  the  functions  of  his  office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other  cause)  or  for misbehaviour  and  shall  not  be  so removed  except  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of this section.

(4) An appointed judge shall be removed from office by the  King  if  the  question  of  his  removal  has  been referred  by  the  King  to  a  tribunal  appointed  under subsection  (5)  and  the  tribunal  has  advised  the  King that  the  appointed  judge  ought  to  be  removed  from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(5) If the Prime Minister or, in the case of a Justice of  Appeal,  the  President  represents  to  the  King  that the question of removing an appointed judge under this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of subsection (6) from among persons who hold or have held high judicial office;
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report on the facts thereof to the King and advise the King  whether  the  appointed  judge  ought  to  be  removed from  office  under  this  section  for  inability  as aforesaid or for misbehaviour. 

(6)  When  the  question  of  removing  the  President  is  to be  investigated,  the  members  of  the  tribunal  shall  be selected  by  the  Prime  Minister  and,  when  the  question of removing a Justice of Appeal is to be investigated, the  members  of  the  tribunal  shall  be  selected  by  the President.

(7) If the question of removing an appointed judge from office has been referred to a tribunal under subsection (5), the King, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister in the case of the President and in accordance with the advice of the President in the case of  Justice  of  Appeal,  may  suspend  the  appointed  judge from  the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  his  office  and any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such  advice  as aforesaid,  and  shall  in  any  case  cease  to  have  effect if  the  tribunal  advises  the  King  that  the  appointed judge should not be removed from office…

 

Section 132 states:

…(3)  The  appointed  member  of  the  [Judicial Service] Commission  may  be removed from office only for inability to exercise the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and  shall  not  be  so  removed  except  in  accordance  with the provisions of this section.

(4)  The  appointed  member  of  the  Commission  shall  be removed from office by the King if the question of his removal  from  office  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal appointed  under  subsection  (5)  and  the  tribunal  has recommended  to  the  King  that  he  ought  to  be  removed from  office  for  inability  as  aforesaid  or  for misbehaviour.

(5) If the Chairman of the Commission represents to the King that the question of removing the appointed member of  the  Commission  under  this  section  ought  to  be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Commission from among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to him whether the appointed member ought to be removed under this section. 

(6) If the question of removing the appointed member of the  Commission  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under this  section,  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  the advice  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Commission,  may  suspend that  member  from  the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  his office  and  any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be revoked  by  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such advice as aforesaid and shall in any case cease to have effect  if  the  tribunal  recommends  to  the  King  that member should not be removed.

(7)  If  the  office  of  the  appointed  member  of  the Commission  is  vacant  or  if  the  person  holding  that office  is  for  any  reason  unable  to  exercise  the functions of his office, the King, acting in accordance with  the  advice  of  the  Chief  Justice,  may  appoint  a person  who  is  qualified  to  be  the  appointed  member  to act as that member, and any person so appointed shall, subject  to  the  provisions  of  subsection  (2),  continue to act until the office in which he is acting is filled or,  as  the  case  may  be,  until  the  holder  thereof resumes  his  functions  or  until  his  appointment  to  act is  revoked  by  the  King  acting  in  accordance  with  the advice of the Chief Justice…

 

Section 134 states:

A person holding the office of Ombudsman may be removed from office only for inability to exercise the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not be removed except in accordance with the provisions of subsection (3).

 

Section 136 states:

…(5)  A  member  of  the [Public Service] Commission may  be  removed  from office only for inability to exercise the functions of his  office  (whether  arising  from  infirmity  of  body  or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour (including failure  to  discharge  his  duties  in  a  fair  manner  free from  prejudice)  and  shall  not  be  removed  except  in accordance with this section.

(6)  A  member  of  the  Commission  shall  be  removed  from office by the King if the question of his removal from office has been referred to a tribunal appointed under subsection (7) and the tribunal has recommended to the King  that  he  ought  to  be  removed  from  office  for inability or for misbehaviour.

(7)  If  the  Prime  Minister  in  the  case  of  the  Chairman of  the  Commission  or  the  Chairman  in  the  case  of  any other  member  represents  to  the  King  that  the  question of  removing  a member  of  the  Commission  under  this section ought to be investigated, then— (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to  him  whether  the  member  ought  to  be  removed  under this section.

(8)  If  the  question  of  removing  a  member  of  the Commission  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under  this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of the Chief Justice, may suspend that member from the exercise  of  the  functions  of  his  office  and  any  such suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the  King, acting in accordance with such advice as aforesaid, and shall in any case cease to have effect if the tribunal recommends  to  the  King  that  that  member  should  not  be removed.

(9)  If  the  office  of  Chairman  of  the  Commission  is vacant or if the person holding that office is for any reason unable to exercise the functions of his office, then,  until  a  person  has  been  appointed  to  and  has assumed  the  functions  of  that  office  or  until  the person holding that office has resumed those functions, as the case may be, they shall be exercised by such one of  the  other  members  of  the  Commission  as  may  for  the time  being  be  designated  in  that  behalf  by  the  King, acting  in accordance  with  the  advice  of  the  Judicial Service Commission.

(10) If at any time there are less than two members of the  Commission  besides  the  Chairman  or  if  any  such member  is  appointed  to  act  as  Chairman  or  is  for  any reason unable to exercise the functions of his office, the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  the Judicial  Service  Commission,  may  appoint  a  person  who is  qualified  to  be  appointed  as  a  member  of  the Commission  to  act  as  a  member,  and  any  person  so appointed  shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of subsection  (4),  continue  to  act  until  the  office  in which he is acting has been filled or, as the case may be, until the holder thereof has resumed his functions or until his appointment to act has been revoked by the King, acting in accordance with the advice  of  the Judicial Service Commission.

 

Section 138 states:

…(2) If the office of Chief Electoral Officer is vacant or  if  the  Chief  Electoral  Officer  is  for  any  reason unable  to  exercise  the  functions  of  his  office,  a person  may  be  appointed  to  act  as  Chief  Electoral Officer, and any person so appointed shall, subject to the  provisions  of  subsections  (3),  (5)  and  (7), continue  to  act  until  a  person  has  been  appointed  to the  office  of  Chief  Electoral  Officer  and  has  assumed the  functions  of  that  office  or,  as  the  case  may  be, until  the  person  in  whose  place  he  is  acting  has resumed those functions.

(3)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  subsection  (5),  the Chief Electoral Officer shall vacate his office when he attains the prescribed age.

(4)  A  person  holding  the  office  of  Chief  Electoral Officer  may  be  removed  from  office  only  for  inability to  exercise  the  functions  of  his  office  (whether arising  from  infirmity  of  body  or  mind  or  any  other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not be so removed except  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this section.

(5)  The  Chief  Electoral  Officer  shall  be  removed  from office by the King if the question of his removal from office has been referred to a tribunal appointed under subsection (6) and the tribunal has recommended to the King  that  he  ought to  be  removed  for  inability  as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(6) If the Council of State represents to the King that the  question  of  removing  the  Chief  Electoral  Officer under this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to him whether the Chief Electoral Officer ought to be removed under this section.

(7)  If  the  question  of  removing  the  Chief  Electoral Officer  has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under  this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of  the  Council  of  State,  may  suspend  the  Chief Electoral Officer from the exercise of the functions of his  office  and  any  such  suspension  may  at  any  time  be revoked  by  the  King,  acting  in  accordance  with  such advice  as  aforesaid,  and  shall  in  any  case  cease  to have effect if the tribunal recommends to the King that the Chief Electoral Officer should not be removed…

 

Section 140 states:

…(3)  If  the  office  of  Attorney-General  is  vacant  or  if the  Attorney-General  is  for  any  reason  unable  to exercise  the  functions  of  his  office,  a  person qualified  for  appointment  to  that  office  may  be appointed  to  act  therein,  and  any  person  so  appointed shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  subsections  (4), (6)  and  (8),  continue  to  act  until  a  person  has  been appointed  to  the  office  of  Attorney-General  and  has assumed  the  functions  of  that  office  or,  as  the  case may  be,  until  the  person  in  whose  place  he  is  acting has resumed those functions.

(4)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  subsection  (6),  the Attorney-General  shall  vacate  his  office  when  he attains the prescribed age.

(5) A person holding the office of Attorney-General may be  removed  from  office  only  for  inability  to  exercise the  functions  of  his  office  (whether  arising  from infirmity  of  body  or  mind  or  any  other  cause)  or  for misbehaviour  and  shall  not  be  so  removed  except  in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(6)  The  Attorney-General  shall  be  removed  from  office by the King if the question of his removal from office has  been  referred  to  a  tribunal  appointed  under subsection (7) and the tribunal has recommended to the King  that  he  ought  to  be  removed  for  inability  as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(7)  If  the  Prime  Minister  represents  to  the  King  that the  question  of  removing  the  Attorney-General  under this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to him whetherthe Attorney-General ought to be removed under this section.

(8)  If  the  question  of  removing  the  Attorney-General has been referred to a tribunal under this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister,  may  suspend  the  Attorney-General  from  the exercise  of  the  functions  of  his  office  and  any  such suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the  King, acting in accordance with such advice as aforesaid, and shall in any case cease to have effect if the tribunal recommends to the King that the Attorney-General should not be removed…

 

Section 141 states:

…(2) If the office of Director of Public Prosecutions is vacant or if the Director of Public Prosecutions is for any  reason  unable  to  exercise  the  functions  of  his office, a person  qualified for appointment  to  that office may be appointed to act therein, and any person so appointed  shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of subsections (3), (5)  and (7), continue  to  act  until  a person has been appointed to the office of Director of Public  Prosecutions  and  has  assumed  the functions  of that office or, as the case may be, until the person in whose place he is acting has resumed those functions.

(3)  Subject  to  the  provisions of subsection (5), the Director of Public Prosecutions shall vacate his office when he attains the prescribed age.

(4)  A  person  holding  the  office  of  Director of Public Prosecutions  may  be  removed  from  office  only  for inability to exercise the  functions  of  his  office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other  cause)  or  for  misbehaviour  and  shall  not  be  so removed except  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of this section.

(5)  The  Director of Public  Prosecutions  shall  be removed from office by the King if the question of his removal  from  office  has  been  referred to a tribunal appointed under subsection (6) and  the tribunal has recommended to the King that he ought to be removed for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

(6) If the Prime Minister or the Chairman of the Public Service  Commission  represents  to  the  King  that  the question  of  removing  the  Director  of  Public Prosecutions  under  this  section  ought  to  be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to  him  whether  the  Director  of  Public  Prosecutions ought to be removed under this section.

(7) If the question of removing the Director of Public Prosecutions has been referred to a tribunal under this section, the King, acting in accordance with the advice of  the  Public  Service  Commission,  may  suspend  the Director  of  Public  Prosecutions  from  the  exercise  of the functions of his office and any such suspension may at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the  King,  acting  in accordance with such advice as aforesaid, and shall in any  case  cease  to  have  effect  if  the  tribunal recommends  to  the  King  that  the  Director  of  Public Prosecutions should not be removed…

 

Section 142 states:

…(2) If  the office of  Auditor-General  is  vacant  or  if the  Auditor-General  is  for  any  reason  unable  to exercise  the  functions  of  his  office,  a  person  may  be appointed to act as Auditor-General, and any person so appointed  shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of subsections  (3),  (5)  and  (7),  continue  to  act  until  a person  has  been  appointed  to  the  office  of  Auditor-General  and  has  assumed  the  functions  of  that  office or, as the case may be, until the person in whose place he is acting has resumed those functions.

(3)  Subject to the provisions of subsection (5), the Auditor-General shall vacate his office when he attains the prescribed age.

(4) A person holding the office of Auditor-General may be  removed  from  office  only  for  inability  to  exercise the  functions  of  his  office  (whether  arising  from infirmity  of  body  or  mind  or  any  other  cause)  or  for misbehaviour  and  shall  not  be  so  removed  except  in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(5) The Auditor-General shall be removed from office by the King if the question of his removal from office has been  referred  to  a  tribunal  appointed  under  subsection (6)  and  the  tribunal  has  recommended  to  the  King  that he  ought  to  be  removed  for  inability  as  aforesaid  or for misbehaviour.

(6)  If  the  Prime  Minister  represents  to  the  King  that the question of removing the Auditor-General under this section ought to be investigated, then—

  • (a)  the  King  shall  appoint  a  tribunal  which  shall consist  of  a  Chairman  and  not  less  than  two  other members,  selected  by  the  Chief  Justice  from  among persons who hold or have held high judicial office; and 
  • (b)  the  tribunal  shall  enquire  into  the  matter  and report  on  the  facts  thereof  to  the  King  and  recommend to him whether the Auditor-General ought to be removed under this section.

(7) If the question of removing the Auditor-General has been  referred  to  a  tribunal  under  this  section,  the King, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister,  may  suspend  the  Auditor-General  from  the exercise  of  the  functions  of  his  office  and  any  such suspension  may  at  any  time  be  revoked  by  the  King, acting in accordance with such advice as aforesaid, and shall in any case cease to have effect if the tribunal recommends  to  the  King  that  the  Auditor-General  should not be removed...

 

Section 155, subsection 6 states:

Where  this  Constitution  vests  in  any  person  or authority the power to appoint any person to act in or to  exercise  the  functions  of  any  office  if  the  holder thereof  (or  any  other  person  having  a  prior  right  to exercise those functions) is himself unable to exercise those functions, no such appointment shall be called in question  on  the  ground  that  the  holder  of  the  office (or that other person) was not unable to exercise those functions.

 

Excerpts from the Constitution of Lesotho (1993, last amended 2011)