Lesotho nationals can now apply for a Lesotho Special Permit

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba visited the Midrand Lesotho Special Permit Facilitation and Application Centre to hand out permits to applicants.

The minister also encouraged Lesotho nationals living in South Africa to make use of these service centres to apply for a Lesotho Special Permit.

The permit is issued under special dispensation for Lesotho nationals who are working, studying or running businesses in South Africa and have been in the country in such a capacity before 30 September last year. The permit is issued only to Lesotho citizens who are currently registered on the National Population Register of Lesotho.

The Department of Home Affairs has also granted amnesty to those in possession of fraudulently acquired documentation. During the permit application period, Basotho who qualify for the permit will not be deported. The permit will be valid until 31 December 2019.

There are between 400 000 to 500 000 Basotho in South Africa, according to Lesotho’s National Population Register. Many of them are living in South Africa illegally and without proper documentation, thus the need to legitimise their stay.

Gigaba was briefed by the centre’s management on the level of applications since the process was opened in February this year. Up to

5 694 applications have been successfully submitted.

Gigaba said, “We are not happy with the uptake thus far and wish to urgently appeal to those Lesotho nationals who have not visited these centres to do so and use this opportunity to regularise their stay in the country. The centres are open on weekends to assist applicants in completing the online application process.

“We want to see the Basotho becoming a part of South African society without fear of deportation and to formalise their stay in South Africa, mindful of the contribution that they are making to the economy here and in their country.”

Gigaba further appealed to employers to issue their employees with letters confirming the applicant’s employment, for this particular permit, which is one of the key requirements in the application process.

Every effort has been made to ensure this service is broadly available with application centres set up around the country in strategic regions where the Basotho population is high.

Gigaba stressed that it was important that Lesotho nationals took advantage of this special dispensation and made every effort to apply for the permit by 30 June this year.

“We understand there may be fear, but this initiative is designed to help all Basotho here in South Africa. It is important that you do this and become legal in South Africa,” added Gigaba.

Details: www.dha.gov.za