MASERU
The Court of Appeal has dismissed Mako Mohale, Ntsubise Mohale, Mankhahle Mohale and Mantolo Mohale after they approach the same court seeking to establish their legitimacy within the Mohale family.
Their legitimacy was questioned after the marriage between their grandmother Mamopeli Mohale and the late Chief Nkhahle Mohale was reportedly declared null and void.
Reports show that in 1982, the High Court found that their father, the late Mopeli Mohale was not a legitimate son of the late Chief Nkhahle Mohale, it was also declared that Mopeli Mohale was, in law, an illegitimate descendant of the late Chief Nkhahle Mohale and Mamopeli Mohale.
Through their legal representative, Advocate Teele (KC), they had argued before the Court of Appeal that they are no longer pursuing chieftainship but want the issue of legitimacy resolved.
He said Thato Mohale, who is one of the respondents in the appeal, can continue to enjoy the chieftainship adding that his children will become successors.
Teele argued that if a declaratory of legitimacy is made there will not be any prejudice suffered by the respondents, he stated that a question of belonging to a father and an extended family is crucial for a Mosotho child.
He pointed out that the issue of status of a person can arise at any time, adding that status cannot be waived.
Regardless of their argument and pointing out that they no longer have interest in chieftainship, the Court of Appeal dismissed the Mohales.
