By Selloane Ntshonyane
- The Department of Home Affairs says there is no deal allowing Lesotho citizens to enter South Africa using only identity documents without valid passports.
- Authorities deported more than 109,000 undocumented migrants in two years as border monitoring increases using new drone technology to track illegal crossings.
The Department of Home Affairs has dismissed claims that people from Lesotho can enter South Africa without a passport.
The department said the reports are false and misleading. It confirmed that all travellers must still show a valid passport at official entry points.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 22 April, the department made it clear that no agreement exists between South Africa and Lesotho to allow travel using only national identity documents.
Officials warned that letting people cross the border without proper documents would break the law. Section 9 of the Immigration Act of 2002 says anyone entering or leaving the country must have a valid passport.
The confusion follows a meeting between ministers from both countries in Cape Town on Friday, 17 April. Leaders discussed a possible new system to manage movement between the two countries. But no decisions were taken.
The department said any future changes would have to go through Parliament before becoming law.
Illegal immigration remains a major concern for authorities. Over the past two years, the department has deported more than 109,000 undocumented migrants.
The number of deportations has increased steadily. It rose from about 40,000 in the 2023 to 2024 period to nearly 58,000 in 2025 to 2026.
Between 10 December 2025 and 15 January 2026, officials caught 25,080 people. Of these, 22,153 had no documents, 2,324 had overstayed their visas and 603 were refused entry due to problems like fake visas or invalid passports.
The Border Management Authority has also introduced drone technology powered by artificial intelligence. Officials said this allows round the clock monitoring of high risk border areas.
Lesotho authorities have called for stronger cooperation with South Africa to better manage movement across the border.
For now, the department says the rules have not changed. Anyone travelling between the two countries must still carry a valid passport.
Pictured above: Maseru Bridge port of entry.
Image source: X
