Botha-Bothe, Dec. 23 — The community working and residing around the Mononts’a border is concerned that the development of the border into a commercial crossing will negatively affect their businesses and livelihoods. Residents fear changes in the movement of goods and services between Lesotho and South Africa will create challenges for them.
According to the Roads Directorate, the newly constructed Mononts’a border is 90 percent complete and is expected to serve as a commercial gateway between the two countries. Currently, the border has two immigration officers, members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), taxi drivers, and two street vendors operating on-site.
Speaking to the Lesotho News Agency, one of the taxi drivers operating in the area, Mr. Mojalefa Mafa, noted that the border currently experiences low usage due to transport challenges. He further expressed concerns that upon completion, the border might deter the few users it currently has due to the introduction of customs duties.
“Right now, people prefer this border because they avoid the hassle of paying duties for goods, unlike other borders. I suspect many will resort to using informal routes to evade these challenges once the new border becomes fully operational,” Mafa said. . .
