Mokhotlong border post opens

Lesotho and South Africa are to sign a free movement agreement before the South African general elections this year, the Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety Mr. Motsoahae Thabane has announced.

Briefing the press following a meeting he recently held with the South African Home Affairs Minister Dr. Mangozuthu Buthelezi, Mr. Thabane said the agreement is meant for short visits in both countries to simplify movement for nationals of the two countries who would like to visit hospital, relatives and friends, shopping and other operations. 

Passports will only be checked for their validity and the holder will then proceed to the intended country without the passport being stamped or anything. The agreement will however not cover study, work or residence  permits, Mr. Thabane said.

The Minister said during the meeting, the South African government has requested that the Maputsoe Border Post, which is open 24 hours, should open at six o'clock in the morning and close at ten o'clock in the evening and that Makhaleng crossing should operate from six in the morning until four o'clock in the afternoon when this agreement has been signed. 

He also announced that border posts in Mokhotlong and Qacha's Nek, Ongel's Nek have been officially reopened for operation to enable people in those areas to travel easily to South Africa.

On the outcome of the Interstate Defence and Security meeting held in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia last week, Mr. Thabane said it has been agreed that there is need for the establishment of an African Stand-by Force, which will comprise of military officials in African Union (AU) member states. These would be based in their countries and will only go to a place only when there is need for military intervention.

A military staff committee has been established comprising three members from each of five SADC regions to advice governments with regard to issues relating to security. SADC member states had also suggested that police should be included in the intervention so that they deal with crime prevention giving as an example Lesotho during the SADC intervention in 1998 where people started looting and stealing.

SADC had also suggested that Africa should remain as a free Nuclear-weapon continent and that in this they were supported by Libya. Libya suggested the establishment of an African army although this may be discussed at the February meeting in Libya, Mr. Thabane said.

27 January 2004