…as govt slashes fees and raises thresholds
Moroke Sekoboto
MINISTER of Law and Justice, Richard Ramoeletsi, has announced sweeping reforms to the Administration of Estates and Inheritance Act 2024, aimed at easing the financial burden on grieving families.
The changes come after widespread public complaints about the operations of the Office of the Master of the High Court, where high service fees and low property thresholds were said to worsen the hardships faced by families following the loss of loved ones.
Briefing the Law Cluster Portfolio Committee in Parliament this week, Mr Ramoeletsi said the ministry had undertaken a comprehensive review of the law in consultation with the Master of the High Court to address systemic challenges.
“We reviewed the Administration of Estates and Inheritance Act 2024 after receiving complaints that the system was placing an unfair burden on bereaved families. We had to find a solution,”Mr Ramoeletsi said.
“We examined the schedules and identified that the fees charged to beneficiaries were too high. We have now revised them downwards to respond to public concerns and adopt a more compassionate approach.”
Director of Legal Affairs in the ministry, Malebona Takalimane, outlined the key amendments under the Administration of Estates and Inheritance Amendment (Schedule) 2026.
She said the reforms focus on reducing service fees, increasing property value thresholds, restructuring tax brackets, and easing penalties.
Fees charged by appraisers, executors and curators have been significantly reduced, addressing long-standing concerns that service providers were benefiting disproportionately at the expense of beneficiaries.
In a major shift, the property value threshold has been increased from M125,000 to M1,000,000. This means estates valued below M1 million will no longer attract fees from the Office of the Master of the High Court.
“The aim is to reduce costs in the administration process and ensure that beneficiaries are not disadvantaged,” Ms Takalimane said.
She added that only estates valued above M1 million will now be subject to fees and tax charges, while smaller estates will be exempt.
Penalties for late reporting of estates have also been revised. Under the new regulations, only estates exceeding M1 million will incur penalty fees, providing further relief to ordinary Basotho.
Ms Takalimane noted that many estates, particularly those governed by customary law, fall within the lower value range and will benefit directly from the exemptions.
Master of the High Court, Veronica Matiea, explained that estate administration remains a specialised legal process designed to ensure accountability and fairness.
“When a person passes away, their assets form a deceased estate managed by a court-appointed executor or administrator. This ensures proper oversight,” she said.
She clarified that inheritance is not distributed immediately, as the estate must first settle all outstanding debts before any assets are passed on to beneficiaries.
“Only after creditors have been paid and the process approved by the Master of the High Court can beneficiaries receive what remains,” she said.
Meanwhile, Law Cluster Portfolio Committee member, Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane, welcomed the increased threshold but cautioned that clearer distinctions between estate categories are still needed.
“I am pleased with the increase to M1 million. The concern has always been how the classes are structured under the law,” he said.
