Land Act, 1979 (Act No. 17 of 1979).

The Act makes provision with respect to titles in land, the development of selected land, and the resolution of disputes regarding land and various other matters relating to land. As a corollary to the principle that land in Lesotho is vested absolutely and irrevocably in the Basotho Nation and is held by the State, no person, other than the State, shall hold any title to land except as provided for under customary law or under this Act. Where the customary law is inconsistent with this Act, this Act shall prevail (sect. 3). The power to grant titles to land, to grant or create servitudes, to revoke or derogate from an allocation made under Part II, to terminate or revoke a lease, license or servitude is vested in the King (sect. 4). Part II concerns (registrability) of titles in land resulting from land allocation. Part V concerns leases and licenses to use or to use and occupy land for the purpose and under conditions specified in the license. Article 37 provides for the creation of servitudes. to use or to use and occupy land for the purpose and under conditions specified in the license (sect. 44). Whenever it is necessary in the public interest to set aside for public purposes land held under a lease, the Minister, after consultation with the Principal Chief having jurisdiction and upon obtaining the King's assent, shall declare the land to be so required (sect. 54). There is hereby established for the purposes referred to in this Act a Land Tribunal consisting of a chairman and two assessors (sect. 64). Part IX provides for public servitudes. Part X applies to land under Part II which is the subject of a registrable title and to all land within urban area, selected development areas and selected agricultural areas. The Commissioner of Lands shall keep comprehensive records of all land to which this Part applies (sect. 75). (99 sections divided into 13 Parts and completed by 3 Schedules)