Maseru, Mar. 25 — The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) has announced that mobile network operators will no longer offer airtime and bundle advance services to children under the age of 18, effective from April this year.
Speaking during a media briefing today, the LCA Chief Compliance and Legal Officer, Advocate Thato Poonya, said the move is aimed at promoting financial responsibility and protecting young mobile phone users from debt-related risks.
Advocate Poonya stated that, by law, such services should not have been extended to minors in the first place, as they expose children to loan-like obligations for which they are not legally eligible.
He noted that allowing children to access airtime advances is inconsistent with financial regulations governing lending practices.
He further explained that the practice has resulted in growing cases of deferred payments, which negatively affect mobile service providers. Advocate Poonya also highlighted that the measure aligns with the provisions of the Child Welfare Act, which safeguards children from engaging in financial commitments beyond their legal capacity.
Representatives from mobile operators also weighed in on the development. Mrs. Mapuseletso Ntsékhe from Vodacom Lesotho, alongside Mr. Nhlapo Ketja from Econet Telecom Lesotho, clarified that discontinuing the service does not cancel any outstanding balances.
They urged parents and guardians to ensure that any existing airtime or bundle advances incurred by minors are settled promptly to avoid penalties or service disruptions.
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