Maseru, Dec. 05 — Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) which is scheduled to expire on December 31 this year, has been extended for another two years.
In 2015, the South Africa Cabinet approved the implementation of a Special Dispensation for Lesotho nationals. The objective of this dispensation was to document Lesotho nationals who were in South Africa illegally as a result of the socio-economic crisis in Lesotho.
In his statement last Friday, Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, has announced that he has issued directives to extend the validity of the exemption permits in respect of Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals to December 31, 2024.
He called upon all the affected Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals to make use of the window of opportunity to apply for new exemption permits through VFS Global saying that both nationals will be entitled to apply for new exemption permits.
He said a holder of the exemption permit will be entitled to work, seek employment and conduct business in South Africa.
“A holder of the exemption permit, due to expire on December 31, 2023 or such extended period of validity, will be entitled to apply for a new exemption permit. A holder of the exemption permit will be entitled to sojourn in the Republic of South Africa during the validity of the exemption permit,” he said. . .
