SA says law not targeted at Basotho
MASERU — South Africa’s home affairs department says the decision to outlaw dual citizenship for people who come from countries that prohibit dual citizenship is not targeted at Basotho.
The department however admits that Lesotho nationals holding South African IDs will be the most affected by the Citizenship Act 2010 which was enacted in October 2010 and came into effect on January 1.
Bonakele Mayekiso, the Department of Home Affairs Provincial Manager for the Free State Province, told the Lesotho Times that due to Amendment Act 2010, foreign nationals from countries forbidding dual citizenship should “surrender either one of the two”.
“If you are a Mosotho holding both a Lesotho passport and South African ID, you will be forced to renounce one of the two in line with our law and that of Lesotho,” Mayekiso said.
Asked how South Africa was going to identify such citizens, Mayekiso said the first stop would be at border posts where people’s passports are scanned.
He said the identification system would show if someone holds dual citizenship.
“We will take it from there and ask whether they are aware that they are breaking the law by holding dual citizenship. We will formally write to them and if they don’t comply, they will be compelled to,” Mayekiso said.
“We know that most Basotho are aware that it is illegal to hold dual citizenship but they would never admit if you asked. People have known all along.”
Mayekiso said the South African government was not necessarily planning to push Basotho out in a hostile manner but that it was “just a matter of implementing existing laws”.
“It’s not a question of South Africa pushing people out in a hostile manner.
“The law is here and our people are committed to implementing the existing laws,” Mayekiso said.
However, Mayekiso said the stringent conditions would not apply to countries in whose laws dual citizenship is catered for, making an example of Britain.
“We have British South African citizens but we do not have a problem with them because both our countries cater for dual citizenship in their laws,” Mayekiso said.
“This thing is very simple. If you are a Mosotho holding dual citizenship, you renounce either one of the two.
“If you come from a country allowing dual citizenship, we don’t have a problem with you.”
Comment by Setono on 17 January 2013:
Y cnt Lesotho pass a law that allows 4 dual citizenship?We want r b part of SA le rona..
Comment by Sampo on 17 January 2013:
Well said Setono
Comment by U bo Koate! on 17 January 2013:
Re kopa molao o hlahlojoe bocha hle.
Comment by Dr Qhau on 17 January 2013:
All parties forming Coalition Gov have made it clear they support it. They just need to propose amendment to the constitution, and if they do not get 2/3 majority because DC will oppose it, a referendum or fresh elections would be an option, joale ba e tsetelle faats’e ruri.
Comment by Thlaefo on 17 January 2013:
SouthAfrica etla etsa seo ese ratang ka Lesotho hobane ba nyatsa Bastho esitana lebona basotho ba South Afrca banale lenyatso ho basotho ba bang. Taba ea hore Ntate Tom ha a kopana le Ntate Zuma ebe ofihla a kopeala basotho PAPA ke utloile ele ntho etenang haholo. Hobaneng a sa bue ka lefatshe la basotho . Ntsu olie a bolella Mandela kal ntle ho tshabo. Ntate Tom ohloa ke eng hore tsose taba ea lefatshe hore basotho batle ba iphunele ho iketsetsa PAPA. TLOHELA HO NEGOTIATELA PAPA.KA LEFATSHE OTLA FUMANA POONE EBE O FUMANA PHOOFO
Comment by mzini on 17 January 2013:
U people are clowns. U pretend to be a sovereign country but u go running after papers from other countries. Stay in that dusty place and drink yojr water!! We will squeeze u till u come to ua senses
Comment by Bobatsi on 17 January 2013:
Mzini ontso bua mazepa.. U r 1 of those bitter illiterates who speaks b4 thinkin..o tshwana le ntatao malema hantle ka hlohong..thuto hase mabelebele moshemane ene otla bo shwelle mokh’ukhung mono sakolacha towe..
Basotho ba rutehile mshana ene otla dula ole tlasa mangwele a bona ho fihlela ka baka la lefufa lena leo tshwereng.. Otsebe haba etsa jwalo hee madibohong mono ba nahana hore ba re punisha kanthi ba re tiisa.. Funny part to think of, u may find dat dez no white man involved in dis whole issue haese dis bitter blacks..sek
Comment by Watchdog on 17 January 2013:
Mr.Joang, you have been in USA and you know this phrase “what goes around comes around”.
Ki.ki.ki…..
Comment by shh on 17 January 2013:
Careful..Dual citizenship wont benefit poor Basotho but South Africans who will ravage Lesothos Limited resources, Lets protect the Poor bcoz they wont be eligible for SA citzenship, whereas the ELIT will ravage the country like no body business, i dont care if the both laws admit this case, so dont be selfish if the minority are already breaking both laws and are already benefitting whereas the Majority will suffer in future…watch the space and lift up your heads Basotho and look into the FUTURE PLEASE
Comment by Tlhase on 17 January 2013:
Judging from the Minister’s comments, I think this Gov’t has its fingers on the pulse. Basotho first! We’re leaving in a global village and we risk isolation at our own demise. Most countries have long repealed such irrelevant outdated laws (in the words of Minister Molapo – that served their purpose then). Well done Ntate Tom. I am proud to have voted this Gov’t into power. The previous administration abused such laws to target individuals and political opponents. Remember Lekhoaba vs Lehohla. It is time we Basotho stopped being hateful and see the bigger picture.
Comment by Tlhase on 17 January 2013:
This will benefit Lesotho in the same way the recently enacted Land Act has done. Now investors can settle and acquire citizenship – of course legally and if they qualify according to set criteria and really invest in this country and its people. Nowadays, it is not what is underneath the earth that matters but what’s in the brain. Its no use sitting on so-called resources and continue being a least developed country! Rather get people with brains, skills and money to turn our mountains into something we can use to create employment for our people and boost our economy! That’s why nationalization will never work! I believe this will also improve investment and ensure that some of the investors are loyal to this country and not necessarily ditching their families in their countries of birth. A breath of fresh air considering that at the moment, they just come, use our cheap labour to make money and leave.
Comment by ngwana modimo on 17 January 2013:
my father is a victim of this issue. ke kopa ho hlalosa hore hase bobebe bona boo le bo bolelang haeba ehlile bo teng. ntate o hlahetse mzantsi mme wa hae a hlahela lesotho mekhukhu ya cha ntate wa hae a hlokahala ba khutlela lesotho ba sale banyane ba sena letho le bontshang hore ke bana ba ka kwa a hola ele moahi wa lesotho a batla mosebetsi south africa ele moahi wa lesotho yare ka 1994 ha mmuso o chencha human rights started being introduced yaba ho thoe all those who were denied their rights can now apply for the IDs he applied and attained an ID of which he has been using all along aba a ba le passport ya ka kwa but ha molao ona o sebetsa last year ha passport ya hae e fela a lo e etsa renew ke ha a fumana mathata ba re a hlahise “domba” this is identification e neng e sebelisoa nakong tsa bo li homelands south africa ha o sena yona ba senya ID they dont make you choose tjee kaha ke utloa eka hothoe ba etsa jwalo ba o khethela
Comment by Lefefooane on 17 January 2013:
Long time ago in the case of tyhe late moruti Lekhoaba vs LCD/DC, our constitutional court advised the then LCD/DC government to ammend the constitution to pave way for dual citizenship but as expected the poor government never listened. They never listened. Their only interest was to deprt the slain Lekhoaba. Our courts said it loud and clear that we need to allow for dual citizenship. This should be difficult to implement especially given that the constitutional court has said so. Amend the constitution and wait for DC to stop such an amendment then DC risks to further allianete itself from the the “and and professional voters”. In that way DC will be pushing itself further in the rural areas where people ‘theoretically’ never need dual citizenship. However this will also alliniate DC as the majority of miners come from the rural areas. Another catch for DC will again be realised in the border districts of Qachasnek and Mokhotlong where the reside residents work in the farms in Natal. Such people normally have South African IDs. But I bet DC will act stupidly.
Comment by morena on 17 January 2013:
Man this has nothing to do with Dc, Quolision gov should let bosotho to denounce their citizeship but keep data of basotho
Comment by S'bongile on 17 January 2013:
@mzini
U otlile lesepa ka koto mzini. le ‘na ke bona litaba joaloka.
Comment by S'bongile on 17 January 2013:
@Lefefooane
i am not a political person; empa mo na joaloka uena nkare moiketsi ha a lleloe.
Comment by Ntja Mokoena on 17 January 2013:
@Bonakele Mayekiso,
We are not young children like as you think. You always make example of British people just because you ANC people wanted and wished your country RSA could had been located in Europe or America as you hate neighbouring African countries. You always talk and make examples about European countries because you don’t consider yourselves as Africans, you hate the fact that your country is in African continent. Don’t ever think you can fool us, we are not that stupid as you think.
Quoted Mayekiso’s statement
“”South Africa’s home affairs department says the decision to outlaw dual citizenship for people who come from countries that prohibit dual citizenship is not targeted at Basotho.”"
Mayekiso, don’t ever lie to us man, we are adults just like you. We know that law has targeted Lesotho nationals working and residing in RSA. ANC government under Zuma administration made this decision to outlaw dual citizenship because they have a bad purpose. That decision of dual citizenship is targeted at Basotho working and living in South Africa as ANC people have shown much hatred towards Basotho immediately after their liberation in 1994. I know wickedness of the zulus. Zuma will amend cruel laws until he made sure every citizen in Lesotho is dead or whatever. Zuma will not have peace to see Lesotho and Basotho existing. ANC government is the worst government ever especially under Zuma administration. ANC government is worse than apartheid regime. They want to implement dual citizenship law because they want to see Basotho suffering as this rubbished law will be for the benefit of white South Africans operating businesses in Lesotho, it will not benefit more than a Million Basotho living in Lesotho at all.
Again Zuma’s ANC want to make sure that they totally get Lesotho’s highlands water for free without even paying a cent. They want to conquer Lesotho just like Boers and British had done during the great trek. Mayekiso, we are not interested of that so-called dual citizenship at all as you have explained that Basotho working in your country should surrender one of the two citizenship. There, I support your opinion, Basotho working and residing in South Africa must renounce and surrender Lesotho documents/citizenship. They work in that country for their own benefit but not for Basotho and Lesotho. They must cancel their original citizenship. You can’t serve two gods on earth.
Mayekiso, why did you offer Basotho your citizenship if they still wanted to be in possession of Lesotho identity, because RSA govt should have given Basotho only work permits if they still want to retain their original identity? South Africa granted citizenship educated Basotho because they want to own them as their citizens are illiterate/unskilled. South Africa will never grant citizenship to uneducated Basotho because they don’t benefit anything from them. Thats why Basotho Miners are still working with permits. So, stupid Basotho with shallow minds think that South Africa loves them to come to Lesotho warning authorities that they are going to put that law into existence. RSA still wants to conquer Lesotho and these ANC puppets are now being used by cruel Boers to conquer that small portion of land we are left with.
Comment by Selomo on 17 January 2013:
First, people who legitimately have South African citizenship and have permanent jobs there have nothing to lose by renouncing their Lesotho citizenship. I spend the Christmas holiday in Maseru with my South African cousins who have never claimed their Lesotho citizenship even though their parents were born and raised here.
Secondly, do not confuse having a South African ID with having South African citizenship. There are many Basotho who carry Lesotho passports, and have South African IDs as permanent residents (not citizens) of South Africa (e.g. Pakalitha Mosisili). They will not have to apply for work permits to keep their jobs in the RSA.
The Constitution of Lesotho may be amended tomorrow to permit dual citizenship by the legislature, but that will not solve the problem. It is South African that wants rid of Basotho, not the other way round. So the solution is under Table Mountain not on top of Mpilo Hill.
Hands up all those who have South African IDs and work for the Government of Lesotho!!!!!!!
Comment by setono on 17 January 2013:
go to hell mayekiso,
Comment by BKC on 17 January 2013:
Mayekiso said the South African government was not necessarily planning to push Basotho out in a hostile manner but that it was “just a matter of implementing existing laws”.
As the Isralites go on a path of persecution of Arabs they always claim to be doing that in the best interests of the average Isralite!
History have started on a dirty path in the sub-region under the pretext of implementation of existing laws!
Apartheid was found on the legal system developed and endorsed by Afrikaners.
But did not stop everyone to be denouncing it as an evil law!
This South African law by the ANC government is an evil law that should be opposed in all international fora!!!
Comment by concerned on 17 January 2013:
It was phasing out of six months during world cup now is phasing out of citizenship during afcon this law is meant for Basotho no one else Basotho hlokomelang, tsena e sale linyane. Its high time that we realise that ANC its in a mission to get rid of us and what are doing about it?
Comment by lengopa on 17 January 2013:
Ntate Joang bua ka meeli rena le mabitla A rona moo naheng eabo rona mazulu aa ha a cheche ra namoha
Comment by Noko on 18 January 2013:
Thlaefo hopola mantsoe a Mokhehle ho Mandela…”Re tla bua ka naha eno ha feela e keke ea koatisa mohlomphehi..”..ebe u no le kae kapa ke mang ea u sothetseng history?
Comment by Noko on 18 January 2013:
anyway…batho ba ntse ba ikhethetse citizenship ea RSA ka bonngoe…etla nne ebe khethong ea motho ka bomong ho khetha na o sala ka citizenship ea Lesotho kapa ea RSA….ntho e bohlokoa ke hore mmuso o bebofaletse basotho ba ka khahloang ke citizenship ea naha tsena tse peli….
Ha se nnete hore basotho ba kajeno ba sebetsang RSA ke hobane ba sa rate naha e lefang li peanuts….bo ntata rona , batsoali ba bona, le batsoali ba batsoali ba bona esale ba sebetsa RSA ele cheap labour…esita le kajeno ho joalo….ha re shebeng litaba ka leihlo la nnete le qenehelo hoba kobo li mahetleng…
ha ho monate haeba u hiriloe ke mmuso u khola bokhothokhotho ebe u tsoha o nahana hore ea sebetsang ladybrand ke hobane a sa rate naha..o lebala hore le metsi ao oa rekang shoprite a tsoa RSA…ka hona ene ele bohlale hore re shebe litaba ka leihlo la nnete eseng ka pelo kapa ka booatla…..ba bang ba tsamaile ba sa ka ba khola le li peanuts tseo o buang ka tsona…esale ba lula liemo ka bone mangolo a qetella a letse lerole….ha babang motho a kena classeng ea university a sa ntse a boloketsoe post….ha re bueng nnete re se soasoeng ka litaba….
DUAL CITIZENSHIP AMENDMEND HAS BEEN VITAL ho tloha ka popo ea molao oa motheo ka 1993 ho fihlela ha joale…
ha re batla re ka bolela hore na molao o entsoe ke bomang ka mabaka a feeng a foufetseng…
Comment by moses bossel on 18 January 2013:
I read much about the courts of law and their powers from this comments section. Why not sort law this time? If I don’t need you in my house, why complain? You have your own. If feel cheated file your claim and stop whining.
Comment by shh on 18 January 2013:
First and Foremost, being in possession of dual citizenship is unlawful in Lesotho and the same applies to any unlawful practices outside Lesotho. The SA Home Affairs is serving its mandate effectively in this regard whereby Lesotho is reluctant to implement/practice its own laws.
-Being in possession of SA IDs benefit individuals not Basotho
-Being in possession of SA IDs doesnt mean u wont continue supporting your family in Lesotho.
-Passing Dual citizenship laws in Lesotho wont elevate chances of poor Basotho acquiring SA citizenship BUT it will be the opposite to the corrupt, racial minded and neo-apartheid serving regime of SA
-Scarce Lesotho resources (WATER & DIAMONDS), freedom (ONE RACE Independence & tolerance) and sovereignty will be foregone as the ELITE/ WHITE will continue manipulating authorities to gain FULL control AND access in Lesotho (They now Basotho are not content with the DIAMOND Corrupt practices and recent anticorruption uproar)
-Enventually Hopes of fighting for Freestate will be squashed away hence they will retain the farmlands.
-SURVIVAL OF THE FITEST (CAPITALISM & SLAVERY) WILL NOW IMPRISON OUR HELPLESS FATHERS, MOTHERS, BROTHER & SISTERS UNTIL ALL IS LOST
-E BONA MAHE HAE BONE LERABA
Comment by Neee Teeee on 18 January 2013:
Why batho ba etsa lerata ha RSA e kenya melao e fetisitsoeng ke paramente ea bona tsebetsong? Haeba motho a na le bojaki bo habeli, ntho e bonolo ke hore a khaohane le bo bong, ke taba ea khetho feela. Lerata le bakoa ke ba molato tabeng ena hobane ba bangata mesebetsi e tla fela, e se ba Msanzi, ba teng in Les Gov posts. Ba bang ke matona le ba litulong tse ling tse phahameng.
Ke bolelletse ba bangata khale koana ha six months e fela borokhong mono hore nthoena e tlo etsahala honajoale, e tseleng. Ke ntse ke tiisa ke re, ke hona re tla luloa koenya lebele ka malibohong ka mono. Ntho eo re neng re lokela ho bua ke eona ha ho le tjena is to liberate Lesotho economically.
Ke boetse ke re, mphe mphe e ea lapisa molekane motho o khonoa ke sa ntlo ea hae.
Comment by Sera sa motho ke tlala on 18 January 2013:
Re hotse ho tloha khale pusong ea Leabua-BNP Lesotho lesa batle dual
Comment by bass on 18 January 2013:
khele nna motho e mong a ka ba a oa,nkeke ka fana ka ena eaka. ke eona ntho eeo tom a neng a ntse a e bua le zuma ee?sis!
Comment by Thlalefo on 18 January 2013:
Noko
Taba eno ke ile ka e utloa SABC2 empa habaka ba mohlahisa a bua . Empa he ke lebohela hlahiso leseding.
Ea hao
Comment by Motaung on 19 January 2013:
I am surprised that Lesotho goverment does not stand up for its citezens. In 1982 we used to say ” lefatshe lena le le nyenyane haholo Lesotho le fella mane” ke ipotsa hore Ntate Tom eana oreng .
Ke lakatsa ho bona Mandate o filoeng Ntate Tom. Motho eo a naleng Please Upload it in the internetP PLEASE PLEASE!!!
Comment by Asemie on 19 January 2013:
Sekhukhuni se bonoa ke sebatalali,botsa Tata
Comment by FierceAngel on 19 January 2013:
I don’t understand why SA is concerning itself with an issue that does not affect them. Hakere bona they allow dual citizenship, so it is not for them to cry foul that a law is being breached. That is for Lesotho to do. But Lesotho is not doing that. I am not a legal person, but I don’t think SA has the locus standi to raise this matter in this way.
Comment by aline on 20 January 2013:
Ha ba khutlele hae kapa ba sale moo
Comment by Joseph Qhojeng on 21 January 2013:
“This is very simple if your a Mosotho holding dual citizenship, you renounce either one of the two”
‘If your country allowes dual citizenship, We do not have the problem with you.’
This is very clear, SA constitution do not have a clause that exclude Basotho. Ntse re ithetsa re re Basotho molao ha u tlo ba ama feela ho sa ngoloa fatshe. Ntate Molapo ha se ke ra buang feela empa re etse, molao-theo oa rona ha o sa re sebeletsa nnete e buue.
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Comment by mophaphathehi on 22 January 2013:
ho bona mayekiso! ntate Tom oba thetsitse are ba tla feta fela malibohng, ho joang kajeno! ha ba khutle kapa ba ele ruri, haele metsi le taemane tsona li sale li tsebe ho re lekana.
Comment by madise on 23 January 2013:
Basotho ba Lesotho baa sokodisa empa haba fihle hoMachakane a Mugabe, hake tsebe keng ba sa tshabana le metsi hakale, ba ja le maqepe ba ikentse matodi.
Bosotho bo re hlotse!
Comment by Ntat'a Motsôeneng on 23 January 2013:
Madise, ke a kgolwa o
Molise, o phaphelang jwale.
Comment by George on 14 February 2013:
its time lesotho to move on, be on democratic world for the benefit of all not individuals
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