MASERU-A Maseru-based Funeral Company has approached the High Court seeking urgent permission to exhume a body after it emerged that two deceased men were allegedly buried in the wrong graves following a mix-up at a mortuary.
Naledi Funeral Planners (Pty) Ltd has filed an urgent application before the High Court of Lesotho after what it describes as a “genuine and unintended mistake” led to the burial of the wrong body at a funeral held earlier this month.
According to court documents seen by this publication, the matter involves the late Seabata Samuel Ramohapi and Khotso Elliot Khohlooa, who were both admitted to Naledi Funeral Planners’ mortuary at Khubetsoana, Maseru, on 21 December 2025.
In a founding affidavit deposed to by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mosoeu Mabote, the funeral home explains how the two bodies were received, identified by family members on different dates, and prepared for separate funerals in different districts.
“I am a Mosotho male adult and Chief Executive Officer of the Applicant,” Mabote states in the affidavit. “The facts in this affidavit are within my personal knowledge, recollection and from documents in my possession, both true and correct.”
According to the court papers, both men died on the same day and were brought to the mortuary from different places. The body of the late Khotso Elliot Khohlooa was collected from Ha Khohlooa in Thaba Bosiu, while that of the late Seabata Samuel Ramohapi was collected from Maseru District Hospital.
Death certificates for both deceased were issued and attached to the court application.
The funeral of Khohlooa was scheduled for 10 January 2026. On 9 January, members of the Khohlooa family went to the mortuary to identify the body.
The affidavit states that the family initially debated whether the body was indeed that of their relative, but eventually confirmed that it was Khotso Khohlooa and authorized the funeral home to transport the corpse to Ha Khohlooa, Thaba Bosiu, where the funeral was to take place the following day.
“On 10 January 2026, the funeral of the late Khotso Khohlooa took place and the burial of a person who was believed to be Khotso Khohlooa was effected to finality,” Mabote told the court.
The second funeral, for the late Seabata Samuel Ramohapi, was scheduled for 17 January 2026 at Malea-lea in the Mafeteng district.
On 16 January, a representative of the Ramohapi family, Lehlohonolo Ramohapi, went to the mortuary to identify the body. After viewing it, he confirmed that it was that of Seabata Ramohapi and authorised Naledi Funeral Planners to transport it to Malea-lea.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn upon arrival at Malea-lea.
According to the affidavit, once the coffin arrived and family members viewed the body, they realised it was not Seabata Ramohapi.
“Upon arrival at Malea-lea, the casket carrying who was believed to be Seabata Ramohapi was dropped off by the Applicant’s employees,” the affidavit reads. “When the Ramohapi family members identified the corpse they discovered that the said corpse was not Seabata Ramohapi and they alerted the Applicant’s employees.”
The body was immediately returned to Naledi Funeral Planners’ mortuary at Khubetsoana on the same day. Following internal investigations, the funeral home says it became clear that a serious mistake had occurred.
“It appeared that indeed there had been a mistaken burial because the remaining corpse which was returned is that of Khotso Elliot Khohlooa who had to be buried at Ha Khohlooa, Thaba Bosiu on 10 January 2026,” Mabote stated.
“This is to say, the person buried instead of the aforementioned person is Seabata Samuel Ramohapi.”
In simple terms, the funeral home alleges that Seabata Ramohapi was buried in Khotso Khohlooa’s grave, while Khotso Khohlooa’s body remained at the mortuary and was mistakenly taken to Malea-lea.
Naledi Funeral Planners is now asking the High Court to issue an urgent order allowing the exhumation of the remains of Seabata Ramohapi from the grave where he was mistakenly buried, so that both families can rebury their loved ones correctly and with dignity.
“It is based on the above facts that a mistaken burial has taken place,” Mabote told the court. “We humbly pray this Honourable Court to order exhumation of the remains of Seabata Samuel Ramohapi promptly to rectify the mistake which was genuine and not in any manner whatsoever willful.”
The funeral home further explained that the families want to proceed with the funerals as soon as possible, noting that some relatives had travelled long distances and were still waiting.
“The bereaved families want to proceed with the funerals forthwith as relatives living far are still here hence urgent relief is sought,” the affidavit reads.
Mabote stressed that the matter is extremely urgent, not only for emotional reasons but also for health concerns.
“The longer the body stays in the grave it will decay enormously thereby posing health risks and skeletonizing,” he said. “The mistaken burial needs a quick resolution in order to provide closure and allowing the family to grieve appropriately.”
He also told the court that there is no alternative remedy but to approach the High Court.
“I contend that this matter is extremely urgent and needs swift action in order to rectify the error and prevent further complications,” he said.
The funeral home argued that granting the application would not prejudice any of the respondents, but that refusing it would cause serious harm to both families.
“If the application is not granted, the Applicant and families affected stand to suffer unfathomable prejudice because the deceased persons will have been buried improperly, not by their families and not at their destined places of rest,” Mabote stated.
Naledi Funeral Planners also told the court that the incident has placed its reputation at risk.
“The Applicant will be equally prejudiced as this will paint a wrong image and put the Applicant’s name into dispute thereby having an adverse impact on the Applicant’s business that it has invested so much in,” the affidavit reads.
The company has therefore asked the court to grant the application urgently, with any conditions the court may consider appropriate.
Several parties have been cited as respondents in the matter, including family representatives from both sides, the Senekane D07 Community Council, Chief Matlole Matlole of Thaba Bosiu, the Ministry of Health, the Officer Commanding Pitso Ground Police, the Commissioner of Police, and the Attorney General.
The funeral home argues that the High Court has jurisdiction because the events occurred within Maseru and the nature of the relief sought falls under its authority.
