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Adv Ntate Mafisa KC
A message written by the Ombudsman of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Adv Tlotliso Polaki:
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I, on behalf of the Office of the Ombudsman (OoO) Lesotho and the staff, inform you of the passing of Adv Sekara Mafisa KC, the second Ombudsman of Lesotho. Adv. Mafisa passed away on Wednesday, 1st April 2026 after a long illness. He served for two terms between 2002- 2008 as Ombudsman and a Board director of IOI.
Adv. Mafisa was a cornerstone of Lesotho’s democracy and public administration, holding trailblazing roles during critical moments in our nation's history. His commitment to justice and accountability remained steadfast throughout his distinguished career:
(i) Inaugural Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Chairperson (1997-2000). He pioneered the administration of independent elections, leading the country through the landmark 1998 general elections, setting the foundation for professional electoral management in Lesotho.
(ii) Second Ombudsman of Lesotho (2002-2010) - succeeding the pioneer Ombudsman, Ntate Mohale Henry Nt’saba, Adv. Mafisa led this institution for two full terms. He was widely respected for his rigorous, fearless handling of maladministration cases, tackling the abuse of authority by public officials with integrity and diligence.
(iii) Legal Legacy - he significantly contributed to legal scholarship in Lesotho, notably through his work, a book he wrote named ‘Promoting Administrative Justice in Lesotho: The Role of the Ombudsman,’ which continues to guide administrative law practice.
Adv. Mafisa was not merely a legal luminary; he was a mentor and a true servant of the people who believed that accountability is the cornerstone of good governance. His passing is a great loss to the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Though he has departed, the path he cleared for administrative justice remains. Every time we act to correct injustice and demand fairness, we honour his legacy.
Source: The Office of the Ombudsman of the Kingdom of Lesotho
