By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU- Lesotho’s top diplomat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Hon Lejone Mpotjoane is worried about South Africa’s (SA) reluctance to renew work permits for Basotho workers, calling it a “vote of no confidence” in the people of Lesotho.
This statement came as he responded to heated questions in Parliament, following reports of Basotho nationals being chased, raided, and deported from Kwazulu Natal, at Newcastle and Durban due to their lack of valid work permits and legal documents to be in that country. Many of these Basotho are reportedly working at the factories.
The Minister’s remarks underscored what some have termed a growing strain in bilateral relations between Lesotho and SA.
Mpotjoane issued a statement following reports his Ministry received from Lesotho’s Consulate in Durban detailing the plight of some Basotho in that province.
Many Basotho cross legally and illegally to SA as an immediate and only neighbour to Lesotho in search of better economic opportunities.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations has received a report from the Lesotho Consulate in Durban regarding a concerning situation involving Basotho and other foreign nationals. It has been reported that officials, including police, municipal workers, and officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and intelligence agencies, have been conducting raids to check whether these foreigners possess valid work permits and passports.
“The South African government has issued a statement indicating that decisive action will be taken against all foreigners residing and working in the country illegally. Those found to be irregular migrants, including Basotho nationals, will face deportation,” he said.
It will be recalled that the SA government previously extended a dispensation to frequent border crossers, issuing six-month visa permits. However, these permits were later revoked sometime in 2010. In 2015, the South African government introduced a new dispensation specifically for Basotho, allowing eligible applicants to apply for the four-year Lesotho Special Permit (LSP). Over 90,000 permits were issued under this scheme. When the LSP permits expired in 2019, they were replaced by the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) for Basotho citizens.
The SA government announced its decision to issue exemption permits to over 54,000 Basotho nationals currently working in the country. This was confirmed by former Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi. The move offered relief to Basotho whose permits were nearing expiration, allowing them to work, seek employment, or run businesses in South Africa.
The new permits will be valid until November 2025 but will not grant holders eligibility for permanent residency, regardless of their length of stay.
According to SA’s government, “the objective of this dispensation was to document Lesotho nationals who were in South Africa illegally as a result of the socio-economic crisis in Lesotho. It allowed Lesotho nationals to sojourn in the Republic with relaxed conditions; provided them with work, study or business permits and suspended their deportation.”
Mpotjoane stated that the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon Lebona Lephema, will soon meet with his South African counterparts on September 26. The meeting will address how Basotho obtain work permits, among other issues concerning the two ministries.
He added, “We hope that the issues to be deliberated on will benefit Basotho.”
The Minister stated that the government is going to assist all affected Basotho and urged them to reach out to the Consulates in SA and the Diaspora Association for support. He further outlined the government’s plans to address this situation, highlighting interventions in agriculture, the opening of factories, and investments in energy. These initiatives, he explained, will create job opportunities for many Basotho, reducing the need for them to seek work abroad in search of green pastures.
Next month, Prime Minister Rt Hon Sam Matekane is scheduled to meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the Bi-National Commission (BNC). They will be accompanied by their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, among other key ministries. During this meeting, they are also expected to discuss issues related to the movement of people between the two countries.