18 March 2009
The National Council of Provinces Select Committee on Social Services has
agreed to support the ratification of the agreement between the South African
and Lesotho governments. The ratification was brought before the Committee by
the Department of Home Affairs.
Acting Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Jonathan Tolo, said that even though
the Committee supported the agreement, it wanted the Department of Home Affairs
to specify exactly what the implementation plan entailed.
The department said the objective of the agreement was to facilitate the
movement of citizens from both countries, and to reduce the immigration
formalities in the two countries.
"The agreement will simplify the mutual travel procedures of citizens of
both countries, as well as deliver an improved service regarding the
immigration clearance of the people who routinely cross the common border,"
said the department's Mari Greyling, Deputy Director General of Ports
Control.
The agreement will apply to 14 land border posts.
Members of the Committee expressed concern that the agreement might be
vulnerable to criminals as it stated that there would be no endorsement of
passports by an Immigration Officer.
The department said this would not be the case, as visitors would have to
produce valid and authentic passports at a perimeter gate and have them
verified. To mitigate risks the department would continue enforcing both
countriesâ anti-corruption strategies.
One of the advantages of the agreement would be to reduce congestion at the
border posts, shifting the focus from current routine checks at ports of entry
to whatever problem cases might arise.
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
18 March 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
