The government has expressed concern over long queues of people and vehicles crossing at Maseru and Maputsoe border gates since Monday this week.

This follows introduction of new gate pass control by the South African government since February 01.

Speaking at a press briefing, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Timothy Thahane said since South Africa Revenue Authority (SARS) introduced a new gate pass system, some business people failed to attend their meetings both in Lesotho and South Africa.

He said they have received reports that such business people were forced to return at the border gate due to long queues in which people going to South Africa and coming into Lesotho have to undergo.

Dr Thahane said SARS authorities contacted their Lesotho counterparts notifying them about the new system which is intended to combat crime and illegal immigrants going to that country.

However, the Minister said he has tried in vain to contact his South African counterpart to see how best the new system could be implemented without affecting business between the two countries.

"This new gate pass system needs to be suspended while trying to look for how best to implement it in an effective and best way which will not affect legal immigrants," he observed.

Though he said Lesotho has no power to dictate to South Africa about that country's affairs, he believed that both governments are bound by their geographical positions to work in harmony in many aspects of life.

Dr Thahane said that Maseru and Maputsoe border gates are situated near South African towns of Labybrand and Ficksburg, which make the situation to appear worse than other places, hence the need to suspend the new system while exploring the other alternative.

Since Monday this week, people visiting South Africa, through Maseru and Maputsoe border gates were asked questions and given forms to fill before being allowed to pass.

The process is being done indiscriminately to both Basotho and South African nationals, and it is reported to be one of the control measures against illegal immigrants and combat crime.

Meanwhile, the Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner General Mr. Thabo Letjama introduced Mr. Thabo Moleko as the new Commissioner of Customs and Excise.

He also introduced former Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) Public Relations Officer Superintendent Pheello Mphana as the new LRA Public Relations Officer.

Source: LENA 04/02/2010