SA extends special permits for Basotho

By Neo Kolane

The Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) for Basotho working and staying in South Africa has been extended by a further two years. The permits were due to expire on December 31.

This was announced by South Africa’s home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi at a weekend media briefing in Tshwane.

Motsoaledi said the decision to extend the special permits for Basotho and Zimbabwe nationals living in South Africa was taken in terms of Section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act.

A total of 54 653 Basotho hold the LEP and while 178 000 have the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP).

“The legislation gives the minister of home affairs wide powers to grant a category of foreign nationals the rights of permanent residency in South Africa for a specified or unspaced period due to special circumstances,” Motsoaledi explained.

He said that affected foreign nationals would be eligible to apply for the new exemption permits, subject to specific terms and conditions.

The new permits to be issued will expire on November 29, 2025.

Lesotho’s foreign affairs and international relations minister, Lejone Mpotjoane hailed the renewal of the special permits.

He said this comes after an agreement between Prime minister Sam Matekane and President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Bi-National Commission in September this year.

“We welcome SA’s decision. Relations between the two countries are important,” Mpotjoane noted on his Facebook page.