By Ndumiso Mlilo.
JOHANNESBURG. (News of The South) – The South African government on Wednesday announced a special dispensation permits for Lesotho nationals staying in the country illegally to ensure they are documented.
Lesotho Special Permit (LSP) was announced by the South African Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba. The same special permits were given to Zimbabwean in 2010 and 2014. Gigaba said, “It will assist greatly in ensuring that all persons in South Africa are here on a lawful basis, with correct documentation, while supporting efforts better to manage labour flows from SADC states. In the long run, this massive project will advance the goals of the National Development Plan, precisely because Lesotho nationals with special permits will work lawfully, pay taxes, and contribute to the country’s economic development and growth as well as that of their country – the Kingdom of Lesotho.”
The permits will be given to the Basotho who are working, studying or running businesses in the country without appropriate documentation and have been in the country before September 30, 2015. He also noted that the special permits to Basotho and Zimbabweans are meant to reduce corruption, unlawful labour exploitation and fraud. Many of these mentioned foreigners have been buying South African identity documents from corrupt Home Affairs officials. Gigaba also said, “the special dispensations for Zimbabwean and Lesotho nationals residing in SA illegally were in part intended consciously to ease the pressure exerted on the country’s Refugee Reception Offices, dealing with a mixed flow of migrants, including of an economic nature. This approach is therefore helping in separating economic migrants from asylum seekers and refugees. The benefits should include enhanced refugee management and refugee protection.”
The issuing of the Basotho special permits will start on February 1, 2016. The special permit will be valid for 4 years, from May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2020. South Africa also announced the stopping of deportations of Lesotho nationals in the country until December 31, 2016. Gigaba was however to point out that, “The moratorium will exclude persons with negative police clearance and those who have been released from prison after serving their sentences. An amnesty will be granted to Lesotho nationals who voluntarily surrender fraudulent permits or SA passports and IDs. I wish to take this opportunity to ask the Basotho to come forward and surrender these documents, to avoid imprisonment, and improve their stay in SA.”
Foreigners found with fraudulently acquired South African identity documents are charged with identity fraud. Like in the Zimbabwean case, Basotho are required to provide a valid passport, police clearance and proof of employment, study or business. He also stated that South Africa treats the vulnerable with respect, especially women and children. He added, “How we treat our people from Zimbabwe, Lesotho and elsewhere in the region and Continent, especially the most vulnerable among us – the women and children – says much about us as a nation that cherishes democracy, equality and justice for all of humankind. Regularising the stay of Zimbabwean and Basotho women who offer various services in diverse sectors of the economy, does much to advance their protection and enjoyment of inalienable rights, including the right to life and dignity”
Giving special permits helped Zimbabwean to get employment and protection from police harassment. It also helped them from abusive employers who would make Zimbabweans work and withhold their salaries or threaten them with arrest each time they demanded their dues.
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