The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police (MLGCHAP) is a merged portfolio covering:
- Municipal planning/building control/business licensing/service delivery;
- Traditional leadership and chieftainship (customary land allocation and community liaison);
- Immigration and civil registration (Home Affairs); and
- Policing and public safety.
This consolidation can shorten coordination paths for sites, land, permits, immigration, and security; reducing friction during project preparation and ramp up.
Regulatory Framework – Scope and Coverage
- Local planning and zoning, development control, building permits, and occupancy certificates through municipal authorities.
- Business licensing, signage approvals, and environmental health compliance at local level.
- Chieftainship structures for customary land allocation, wayleaves, and community consent.
- Home Affairs: work/residence permits for foreign investors and workers; border control; civil registration (ID/passports); livestock registry.
- Police: public safety, industrial zone security liaison, event/security permitting, and response to incidents affecting business operations.
Regulatory Map: Who Does What
| Area | Primary Authority / Instrument | What it Means for Investors |
| Planning and zoning | Municipal councils / local planning schemes | Land‑use permissions governing development rights on sites. |
| Building control | Municipal building control (bylaws/codes) | Approval of plans, stage inspections and occupancy certification. |
| Business licensing | Municipal licensing | Trading permits for hospitality, retail, transport, markets, etc. |
| Chieftainship and land | Traditional authorities with land boards/local govt | Customary land allocation, community consent and wayleaves. |
| Immigration (work/residence) | Home Affairs (Immigration) + NES input | Authorisation of expatriate staff; NES labour‑market test evidence. |
| Civil registration | Home Affairs (ID/Passports) | Identity/passport services for staff and dependents; livestock registry. |
| Police and public safety | Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) | Security liaison, event permits, incident response and crime prevention. |
Investor‑Facing Processes (step‑by‑step)
| Process | Steps | Outcome / Documentation |
| Development planning consent | Concept and drawings → municipal planning submission → review and conditions | Planning approval (with conditions) |
| Building permit and inspections | Detailed plans → permit issue → stage inspections → occupancy | Certificate of Occupancy |
| Customary land access | Engage chieftainship → community consultation → allocation/lease → registration | Land rights enabling finance and permits |
| Hiring foreign nationals | Post vacancy with NES → labour‑market test → NES confirmation (if needed) → apply to Home Affairs | Work/residence permits |
| Business/trading licence | Application + fire/health clearances → fee → approval | Local trading permission |
| Security and events | Liaise with LMPS → submit site/event security plan → permit | Security/event permit; liaison protocols |
Investor Obligations – What to Prepare
- Planning pack: site plan, zoning compliance, architectural/engineering drawings, and where required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Land tenure: municipal/chieftainship approvals; leases registered for financing (via Land Administration Authority).
- Immigration: NES vacancy posting and labour‑market test documentation; Home Affairs work/residence applications for expatriates.
- Compliance: trading licence, signage approvals, environmental health certificates; security plans with LMPS; records ready for inspections.