Maseru – As the Christmas holiday season approaches, the Maseru District is preparing for an increased number of deportees returning from South Africa. District Administrator Mr. Ts’epo Lethobane confirmed that the district typically receives between 15 and 20 Basotho migrants who have been deported for overstaying their visas.
Lethobane explained that five main routes are used to transport deportees to their home districts, including routes from Maseru border post to Berea, Thaba-Tseka, Mafeteng, and Qacha’s Nek. To ensure a smooth transition for the deportees, his office is working closely with heads of various government departments. One of the main challenges, he noted, is securing reliable transport for the returnees.
Lethobane appealed to the local business community for support, particularly in providing transport and food for the deportees, some of whom often have to sleep over due to transport shortages.
The issue of deportation has been highlighted by a recent agreement between the South African and Lesotho governments, which introduced a 90-day visa-free period for Basotho citizens. This includes a 15-day grace period for expired passports, offering some relief to those caught in the crossfire of visa issues.
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