President of the Democratic Congress Youth League in the Kingdom of Lesotho, Pheello Sehlabaka, is calling on the government in Maseru to intervene and assist Basotho based in South Africa, faced with numerous problems, including access to medical services.

IOL has recently reported that vigilante groups in South Africa have, for months, been manning the gates at government clinics and hospitals, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, blocking foreign nationals from entering the facilities.

Speaking to IOL News from Lesotho, Sehlabaka said the government of Lesotho must intervene and “right the wrongs”.

“Our concern as the Democratic Congress youth is on the Basotho who are denied medical care and some services in the Republic of South Africa. This, to us, is appalling, given that we, hitherto, have regarded Basotho and South Africans as brothers and sisters,” said Sehlabaka.

“Until now, all challenges between these two nations have been addressed mutually, diplomatically, and with respect.

“We therefore urge the government of Lesotho to salvage the situation, seeking solidarity and righting any wrongs for the good of Basotho and South Africans,” he said.

The Democratic Congress youth is calling for mutual understanding between the government of Lesotho and the South African government, “so that Basotho enjoy working in the Republic of South Africa as we have allowed South Africans to work peacefully in our land”. 

Sehlabala emphasised that South Africans work peacefully in the landlocked small nation, completely surrounded by its neighbour, South Africa.

“Although our law allows for the adoption of foreign workers with exclusive skills, some South Africans still work with the Letseng Diamond mining without any exclusive skills, doing normal labour work, and are working without any contempt because they are our brothers,” he said.

“There needs to be peace and reconciliation between the two governments to ward off any bitterness and bad blood. The government of South Africa must help in this matter and lead Lesotho into peace-making.”

In South Africa, the country is facing unprecedented levels of violent crime, including robberies and murders. In some instances, foreign nationals have been arrested and convicted for the heinous crime, which has heightened animosity among locals and immigrants.

Sehlabaka said Basotho who sojourn in South Africa must steer away from crime.

“I urge all Basotho to stop crime and all its activities because it will darken our neighbors’ hearts and destroy relations for Basotho with good intentions,” said Sehlabaka.

The youth leader also appealed to the Kingdom of Lesotho, which has cordial relations with the South African government, to document its people and provide them with proper travel documents.

“My last urge to the Kingdom of Lesotho is to afford the Basotho necessary documents and permits to operate in South Africa,” he said.

Earlier this year, South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber approved a conditional 90-day extension of the visa exemption period, which applies to holders of ordinary Lesotho passports. 

IOL had reported that the neighbouring Kingdom of Lesotho had appealed to the government of South Africa to consider interventions aimed at assisting Basotho travelling into and through South Africa to other countries by giving them extended days.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) revealed that it intercepted 50,312 people without passports who were attempting to enter South Africa during the 2024/25 festive season period.

Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA) Dr Michael Masiapato revealed that during the 44-day festive season operations at South Africa’s 71 ports of entry, a total of 58,394 people were intercepted from entering South Africa and arrested.

A closer look at the statistics reveals that of the 58,394 people who were intercepted and banned from returning to South Africa in the next five years, the neighbouring Kingdom of Lesotho has the lion’s share of citizens in that category.

The mountain kingdom had 38,000 people from the total of 58,394 intercepted individuals.

The other countries with citizens on that list include neighbouring Mozambique with around 6,549; followed by Zimbabwe with 3,067; Malawians stood at 987, followed by Swazis with 870 undocumented and undesirable individuals. 

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News  

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