South Africa has moved swiftly to shut down widespread reports suggesting that citizens of Lesotho can now enter the country without passports, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The Department of Home Affairs South Africa said it had “noted with concern” a wave of misinformation circulating across media platforms and social media, falsely claiming that Lesotho nationals could cross the border using only national identity cards.
Officials were clear:
“No such agreement has been reached between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Passport Requirement
Authorities stressed that existing immigration laws remain fully in force, meaning all travellers must continue to present valid passports when entering or leaving South Africa.
The department warned that allowing entry without passports would directly violate Section 9 of the Immigration Act of 2002, which requires all persons to hold valid travel documents.
Reinforcing its position, officials stated:
“The status quo remains. All Lesotho nationals and South African citizens must continue to present valid passports.”
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How the Confusion Started
The misinformation appears to have originated from a bilateral meeting held in Cape Town on April 17, 2026, involving officials from both countries.
During the meeting, ministers reviewed findings from a joint task team exploring a potential new migration model between South Africa and Lesotho.
However, authorities emphasised that the discussions were purely exploratory and did not result in any policy changes.
Officials clarified that the report presented at the meeting is still under consideration by the binational commission and has not entered any legislative process.
Regional Context
The issue highlights the close but complex relationship between South Africa and Lesotho. Thousands of Basotho citizens travel regularly for work, trade, and family reasons, making border efficiency a key concern.
While discussions on easing movement may continue in the future, authorities insist that any changes will be gradual, formal, and legally grounded.
For now, the message from Pretoria is blunt and unmistakable:
No passport, no entry.
