Can I travel through the Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg border posts using my Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) without being declared undesirable? A practical guide for Basotho living in South Africa.

Many Basotho people living in South Africa are currently worried about their status because of the changes in permit rules. If you are a permit holder, you might be wondering if you can travel through the Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg border posts using your Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) without being declared undesirable by the immigration officers. The good news is that as long as you have your proof of application for the new permit and the official Department of Home Affairs directive, you are allowed to cross the border to visit your family and come back to South Africa to continue with your work or studies.

Important details about traveling through the Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg border posts

• Main People Involved: The Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, and the officials of the Border Management Authority (BMA) who work at the gates.
• Key Locations: The main crossing points are the Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg border posts, which connect the Free State province in South Africa to the Kingdom of Lesotho.
• Permit Type: The Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) and the new Lesotho Special Permit (LSP) that people are applying for now.
• Current Deadline: The Department of Home Affairs has extended the validity of the LEP permits until 31 December 2024, giving people time to move to the new system.
• Required Documents: To travel safely, you need your original expired LEP permit, your valid Lesotho passport, and the VFS Global receipt showing you have applied for the new permit.
• Risk Level: If you follow the rules and show your papers, the risk of being declared “undesirable” (which means being banned from SA) is very low.

Everything you need to know about the Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg border posts and your permit

The issue of permits has been a big stress for many Basotho citizens who have built their lives in South Africa. For a long time, the LEP has allowed people to work, study, and do business legally. However, when these permits expire, many people get scared to go home because they think the police at the border will tell them they are in the country illegally. This fear is why many people ask if they can safely use the Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg border posts during the holidays. You can find more updates on similar stories by visiting the trending news section to stay informed about migration changes.

According to the latest instructions from the Department of Home Affairs, no one with a Lesotho Exemption Permit should be arrested or declared undesirable while they are waiting for their new permit to be processed. The government knows that there is a big backlog at the offices, so they issued a directive that protects you. When you get to the Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg border posts, you must be polite but firm. Show the officer your passport and the receipt from VFS Global. This receipt is your “golden ticket” because it proves that you are not trying to hide from the law, but you are actually trying to follow the rules.

It is also very important to check that your passport is not expired or damaged. Even if your permit is technically extended by the South African government, the border officials still need to see a valid passport to stamp you in and out. If you are traveling with children, make sure you have their birth certificates as well. The Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg border posts can get very busy, especially during long weekends and the festive season, so it is better to travel during the week if you want to avoid long queues and extra questions from the officials who might be tired or stressed.

Questions you might have about crossing the border

• What does it mean to be declared “undesirable”?
  It means the South African government bans you from coming back into the country for a period of 1 to 5 years because they think you stayed longer than your visa allowed.
• Do I need to carry a printed copy of the Home Affairs directive?
  Yes, it is a very good idea to have a printed copy of the latest directive from the Department of Home Affairs website. Sometimes the officers at the Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg border posts might not have the latest info on their computer, so showing them the paper helps a lot.
• Can I travel if I haven’t received my new permit yet?
  Yes, as long as you have the receipt that shows you have already applied through VFS Global, you are allowed to travel. The receipt acts as your temporary permit while you wait for the real one.
• Which border post is faster to use?
  Usually, Maseru Bridge is much bigger and handles more people, but it can be very slow. Ficksburg is also busy but sometimes moves faster depending on the time of day. Both will accept your LEP papers.
• What should I do if an officer refuses to let me pass?
  Do not argue or get angry. Ask to speak to the supervisor or the “Shift Manager” at the border post. Show them your VFS receipt and tell them about the Minister’s extension for LEP holders.
• Is the LEP being cancelled forever?
  The government is moving people from the old LEP to a new type of permit system to make things more organized, but they are not just kicking everyone out. They want people to stay documented and legal.