By Teboho Moloi
FICKSBURG – Meqheleng community activist Ishmael Khosi has accused the Lesotho Department of Home Affairs of contributing to the rising number of illegal border crossings, by failing to issue Basotho with passports and identity documents on time.
Khosi says the ongoing backlog leaves many citizens stranded without valid travel documents, forcing them to cross into South Africa illegally.
He recently wrote to the Lesotho government urging it to fast-track the issuing of passports and ID cards.
Khosi spoke to The Guard shortly after two bodies of women were reportedly recovered from the Mohokare River – which separates Lesotho and South Africa – and following a border inspection led by Free State MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Jabu Mbalula.
He said the document backlog is driving people to risk their lives.
“If the Lesotho government issued passports timeously, we would not be seeing so many illegal crossings along the river,” said Khosi.
He added that many illegal crossers use old bed mattresses to float across the river.
“Most Basotho who risk their lives by crossing illegally do so because of poverty and lack of alternatives. They come here for work opportunities. When they fail to return to work due to documentation problems, they risk losing their jobs,” he said.
One Response
I do agree with Statement of Ishmael Khosi as one of the citizen of Lesotho who is currently in SA for digging work
It’s not only about passport it’s also about permit who allow us to work but due o the carelessness of our country we are struggling alot becouse they are doing nothing to make sure that we have good or proper documents but suprisenly some of our parliamentary candidate has SA that may lead to a person asking him or herself whether we are being ruled by SA citizens or what.
Some do apply for passports but it took long time to receive it of which it might lead to one loosing a job or going to cross illegally which might course death or even jail because we are arrested