Urgent appeal for Basotho safety

An urgent appeal for the safety and protection of Basotho living and working in South Africa has gained momentum amid reports of rising xenophobic tensions and targeted attacks. On May 3, 2026, Lesotho’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr. Lerato Nkhetsé, publicly called on the South African government to safeguard Basotho migrants, citing escalating risks from vigilante groups and discriminatory practices. This plea underscores longstanding vulnerabilities for the estimated 300,000 Basotho who cross the border daily for work, remittances forming 40% of Lesotho’s GDP.

Basotho face heightened dangers in South Africa due to sporadic xenophobic violence, border enforcement crackdowns, and access barriers to services. In late 2025, the Border Management Authority (BMA) intercepted over 50,000 undocumented entrants during the festive season, with Lesotho nationals comprising the majority – nearly 40,000 – leading to five-year re-entry bans. Lesotho officials, including youth leader Pheello Sehlabaka, have decried denials of medical care, with vigilantes blocking clinics and hospitals.

Recent triggers include economic strains from fuel price hikes and job scarcity, fuelling anti-migrant sentiment in Gauteng townships. Historical patterns, like 2019 protests and 2025 appeals for extended stays or work permits, highlight unresolved bilateral issues. Commissioner Nkhetsé reminded Pretoria of its obligations under SADC protocols and bilateral agreements to protect vulnerable nationals.

The “Hands Off Basotho” civic movement, advocating Lesotho-South Africa unity, organized a protest march in Pretoria on Monday, May 4, 2026. Participants gathered at 10:00 AM at Pretoria, proceeding through key streets to the Lesotho Embassy. Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) issued notices of affected roads, including Church Street and others, urging public caution and compliance with marshals.

The march demanded immediate protection measures, amnesty for overstayers without criminal records, and diplomatic intervention against deportations. Billed as peaceful, it drew Basotho workers, students, and supporters chanting for unity and against “foreign interference” in Lesotho’s affairs – echoing calls for relaxed 90-day visa rules and employer permits. Social media amplified the event, with #HandsOffBasotho trending locally.

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has not yet commented officially on the May 2026 appeal, but prior engagements include Lesotho’s April amnesty initiative for banned nationals. Lesotho’s Ministry of Home Affairs urged citizens to register in Maseru for verification lists sent to Pretoria, aiming to clear non-criminal overstayers. High Commissioner Nkhetsé emphasized dialogue, invoking shared history and economic interdependence.

Critics argue Pretoria’s enforcement prioritizes security over humanitarian needs, exacerbating illegal crossings as Basotho evade detection. Lesotho seeks a “grace period” for overstays and transit extensions for those heading to third countries.

For Basotho in South Africa – miners, farmworkers, domestics – the appeal spotlights daily perils like assaults and extortion. Remittances, vital amid Lesotho’s 25% unemployment, risk disruption from mass deportations. Families split by the Caledon River face emotional and financial strain, with children denied schooling or healthcare.

The march galvanized diaspora networks, boosting calls for SADC mediation. However, risks of counter-protests or clashes persist in polarized Pretoria.

This unfolds against South Africa’s May 5 fuel levy reinstatement, inflating living costs and migrant vulnerabilities. Bilateral ties strain under migration pressures, echoing past interventions like South Africa’s role in Lesotho’s 2019 stability efforts. Advocacy groups push for joint task forces on labour mobility, echoing EU-style free movement models.

Ultimately, the appeal and march signal a tipping point: without swift protections, Lesotho-South Africa relations could sour, harming regional stability. Diplomatic talks, potentially at the next Bi-National Commission, offer hope for resolution.