JOHANNESBURG – LESOTHO and South Africa will convene an inaugural Bi-National Commission (BNC) this year as the two countries work on strengthening ties, while SA is seeking an extension of the Lesotho Special Permit (LSP) that expires at the end of the year.

This came out of the meeting between Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane and SA President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria on Saturday.

This was their first meeting since Matekane came into office in October last year.

In 2021, the two countries signed a framework of cooperation and now they want to upgrade it into a fully-fledged BNC

The top priority, the leaders said, was the "free movement of people, goods, and services between the two countries, particularly taking into consideration the unique geographic position of the Kingdom of Lesotho".

"They further discussed easing of requirements for study and work permits for Basotho and extension of the Lesotho Special Permit (LSP) when it comes to an end in 2023," the Lesotho government said.

Lesotho accused South Africa of breaching their "free movement" arrangement when authorities instructed 400 Basotho to leave Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal in November last year.

That set the stage for the first meeting between Matekane and Ramaphosa due in November last year, but it was cancelled at the last minute as Ramaphosa had an urgent ANC internal matter to attend to.

In December last year, Tšepo Lipholo, the leader of the Lesotho Covenant Movement (LCM), appealed to parliament to discuss a proposed motion on the reclamation of some parts of South Africa.

Historically, Basotho were found in the Orange Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

There have been numerous cases of illegal miners, zama zamas, identified as Basotho. From the meeting between the two leaders, it was agreed that they should join forces in dealing with cross-border crimes and illegal mining.

"Mr Matekane and Mr Ramaphosa further agreed to work together in uprooting the cross-border crime committed by nationals of both countries, the illegal mining menace that has ravaged South Africa and therefore resulting in massive losses of lives of the citizens of both countries," the Lesotho government said in a statement.

Responding to questions from journalists, Lesotho prime minister’s press attache, Thapelo Mabote said while there were reported cases of assault of Basotho in South Africa, it was not easy to conclude if they were victims of mob justice or xenophobia.

Ramaphosa commended Basotho for holding free and fair elections, which are the cornerstone of democracy. 

As SADC's delegated facilitator in the Lesotho roadmap, he wished to see the fulfilment of the regional bloc's recommendations.