Vodacom Lesotho Financial Services (VCL FS), operator of M-Pesa in Lesotho, has clarified its policy on reversing funds sent to the wrong account, citing strict legal and security frameworks.
The company says the policy is guided by the Central Bank of Lesotho’s Payment Systems Regulations of 2017, which prohibit issuers from revoking or reversing an electronic transfer once it has been settled, except in limited circumstances.
“Regulation 17(2) ensures the finality and integrity of all digital payments. However, reversals are permitted if funds are sent to an account that is suspended, frozen, or linked to an inactive number,” VCL FS explained.
For payments to active accounts, the company stressed, funds cannot be retrieved without the recipient’s consent.
VCL FS urged customers to use M-Pesa’s built-in safeguards, which include a two-step verification process displaying the recipient’s name before payment is confirmed.
“This system is designed to protect users and minimise costly errors,” the company said, warning that once a transaction is final, recovery may not be possible.
