Maseru
The former spouse of the late Minister of Police and Public Safety, Lepota Sekola, has instituted High Court proceedings against his widow and several State actors in a dispute over the administration and distribution of his deceased estate.
Khasiane Ramathe, who was married to the late Sekola from February 2014 until the dissolution of their marriage by divorce in April 2022, contends that she is legally entitled to a 50 percent share of the deceased estate. She maintains that the administration of the estate cannot lawfully proceed unless and until her alleged entitlement has been determined and satisfied.
In her application, Ramathe challenges the conduct of the Master of the High Court, arguing that the Master acted improperly by insisting on continuing with the administration of the estate despite her formal objections. She states that these objections were raised during a meeting held on 5 January 2026 at the offices of the Master of the High Court in Maseru, where she expressly placed her opposition to the administration on record.
Ramathe avers that the Master’s decision to proceed notwithstanding her objections compelled her to seek judicial intervention. She argues that any further steps taken in the administration of the estate prior to the resolution of her claim would be premature, unlawful and prejudicial to her rights.
Cited as first respondent in the matter is Mathabang Sekola, the widow of the deceased and the appointed Executor of the Estate of the late Lepota Sekola. The Master of the High Court is cited as the second respondent, while the Attorney General, Advocate Rapelang Motsieloa KC, is cited as the fourth respondent in his official capacity as the principal legal adviser to the State.
The respondents appeared before the High Court on Friday, 16 January 2026, where the matter was placed before the court for consideration.
The application raises substantive questions regarding the powers and obligations of the Master of the High Court in circumstances where competing claims to a deceased estate exist, as well as the legal effect of divorce on spousal entitlements in estate administration. The matter remains pending before the court.
