Law firm pressures PM to withdraw State of Disaster

Litigation and consulting group, Goldman Mustard Inc., has written to Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane, demanding the withdrawal of the recently declared State of Disaster and calling for immediate action to address youth unemployment.

In a letter dated July 9, the firm, led by Advocate Fusi Sehapi, threatened legal action against the government, arguing that the declaration is unconstitutional and does not conform to the Disaster Management Act of 1997.

The letter states that should the Prime Minister fail to withdraw the declaration and act decisively, Goldman Mustard Inc. will approach the High Court to seek various socio-economic reliefs. These include an order declaring Matekane’s promise – made in June 2025 to employ 62,000 youth from July 1 – a legally binding obligation, and that the government has breached this promise.

The firm also argues that the declaration of a State of Disaster, purportedly in terms of Section 3 of the Disaster Management Act, is ultra vires — beyond the scope of the Act.

Advocate Sehapi asserts that youth unemployment does not meet the legal threshold of a “disaster” as defined by the legislation, which primarily refers to natural or man-made calamities.

“The attempt to frame youth unemployment as a disaster under Section 3 is an overstretch and unconstitutional. Section 25 of the Constitution requires the government to take overt and positive actions to tackle socio-economic issues, including youth unemployment, through legislation, policy, and employment initiatives,” reads the letter.

According to the letter, the government must take “reasonable and progressive measures” within two years to address the crisis, in accordance with Section 5 of the Constitution.

Goldman Mustard Inc. represents pressure group Advocates for the Supremacy of the Constitution, commonly known as “Section 2”, which claims that on June 9, 2025, the Prime Minister made a public and legally binding commitment to employ tens of thousands of young people across various government sectors starting in July.

The letter also argues that this commitment constituted a contract with the nation’s youth, which the government has failed to uphold.

“Instead of honouring this obligation, the government resorted to declaring a State of Disaster under the guise of addressing youth unemployment, an action not contemplated by the Act,” it notes.

On Tuesday, July 8, Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Majara formalised the State of Disaster through a government gazette.

The declaration, titled “Declaration of National State of Disaster on Socio-Economic Effects of High Youth Unemployment and Job Losses in Lesotho,” is set to last until June 30, 2027.

Prime Minister Matekane first announced the declaration during a National Youth Dialogue on June 18, 2025, following mounting pressure from young people calling for urgent intervention. He said the decision was based on advice from cabinet and the Disaster Management Authority (DMA).

While the declaration has raised hopes among the youth, many are now demanding swift, tangible action from the government.

When contacted for comment, the Prime Minister’s Press Attaché, Thapelo Mabote, said he was unaware of Goldman Mustard Inc’s letter.

“I have not seen such a letter, but I will look for it,” he said.