South Africa has dismissed recent media reports and social media posts claiming that Lesotho nationals will no longer need valid passports to enter the country. The Department of Home Affairs has clarified that no agreement has been reached between South Africa and Lesotho to allow entry using only national ID cards.
According to the Department, such a move would contravene section 9 of the Immigration Act of 2002, which mandates that all individuals must possess a valid passport to enter or depart from the Republic. The Department has urged the public to disregard the misinformation and continue adhering to existing entry requirements.
The confusion appears to stem from discussions during a recent meeting between Home Affairs Ministers of Lesotho and South Africa in Cape Town on 17 April 2026. The ministers received a study report from a joint task team established to explore the development of a new migration model. The study, commissioned by the Bi-National Commission between the two countries, presented various recommendations for future consideration.
However, the Department emphasized that any change to current immigration laws would require a formal legislative process involving Parliament. No such process is currently underway, and the status quo remains in place.
All Lesotho nationals and South African citizens are still required to present valid passports for entry and exit at shared ports of entry. The Department has reiterated its call for the public to avoid spreading false information and to rely on official sources for updates on immigration policies.
