The Department of Home Affairs has dismissed reports claiming that citizens of Lesotho will soon be allowed to enter South Africa without valid passports.

The clarification follows a recent meeting between South African and Lesotho officials, where a joint task team presented a study on possible options for a new migration model between the two countries.

The department has stressed that not only would allowing entry without a valid passport violate South Africa’s law, it would also contravene section 9 of the Immigration Act of 2002, which stipulates that no person shall enter or depart from the Republic unless they are in possession of a valid passport.

The department’s spokesperson, Thulani Mavuso, says the process is still at a preliminary stage and no decisions have been taken.

“The ministers were directed by the bi-national commission between the two countries to undertake the study. No decision has been made yet, as they must go back to the commission and make proper recommendations on a way forward. At this point, we just want to reiterate that Lesotho citizens will need a valid passport to enter South Africa and South Africans will need a valid passport to enter Lesotho.”