Zuko Komisa
- Basotho citizens will soon be permitted to enter South Africa using only their national ID cards.
- A “One Stop Border Post” and electronic authorisation will replace manual passport stamping.
- The deal includes amnesty for overstayers and new provisions for Basotho students and workers.
South African Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber and his Lesotho counterpart, Lebona Lephema, have formalised a landmark agreement to streamline migration between the two nations.
Under the new model, Lesotho citizens (Basotho) will soon be able to cross the border using their national identity cards, removing the necessity for traditional passports.
To facilitate this shift, the ministers have committed to establishing a One Stop Border Post.
This system is designed to provide a seamless transit experience, eliminating the need for travellers to have their documents stamped on both sides of the border.
This will be supported by a new Electronic Travel Authorisation system, digitising the entry process to ensure security remains robust while speed is prioritised.
Beyond travel logistics, the agreement introduces several humanitarian and economic concessions. An amnesty has been granted to Basotho nationals who have previously overstayed their South African visas, allowing them to regularise their status.
Furthermore, Basotho students in South Africa will now have their Lesotho medical aid schemes recognised, and discussions are underway regarding potential employment quotas for lower-skilled Basotho workers.
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