…amid looming anti-immigration protest deadline
Moroke Sekoboto
CONCERNS are growing in Lesotho over the safety of Basotho living in South Africa, with Member of Parliament Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane urging the government to urgently respond to a rising wave of xenophobic violence in that country.
This comes as South African vigilante groups and anti-immigration movements continue organising protests, including an ultimatum demanding that foreign nationals leave the country by 30 June 2026.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Adv Rakuoane, a former Minister of Home Affairs, warned that thousands of Basotho migrants could be at risk if the situation escalates further.
He said attacks targeting foreign nationals had already spread to townships around Bloemfontein in the Free State.
“There is a dark cloud in South Africa of xenophobia, where foreign nationals are being attacked. There is also an announcement about the protest by South Africans scheduled for 30 June. We are not hearing any plans from the government to rescue or reduce the number of Basotho living in South Africa,” Adv Rakuoane said.
He warned that tensions could spread to other areas with large Basotho populations, including Botshabelo, and criticised the government for remaining silent.
Adv Rakuoane said the South African government appeared to be struggling to contain vigilante actions and anti-immigrant protests in major cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.
“We don’t understand why our government is shying away from intervening, as it is clear that the South African government is struggling to contain the situation. We have to act because we won’t know who to blame when people start dying,” he said.
He said the government should urgently issue an official statement outlining measures to protect Basotho living in South Africa.
“After all, the dark cloud is hanging over our heads. We urge the government to make an official statement on the matter and how it will deal with the situation.
“As the attacks keep spreading, Basotho’s lives are in danger, as we have witnessed some cases in Bloemfontein, which occurred in townships targeting foreigners. It is likely to affect people in Botshabelo and other places,” Adv Rakuoane said.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Tšepang Tšita-Mosena, said the matter was of urgent public importance and the government could report back to Parliament at any time.
“The motion has been formally filed and is awaiting scheduling. Given the critical and life-threatening nature of the situation, the executive branch does not need to wait for a formal debate. The government is fully empowered and encouraged to report back to the house immediately with an emergency response strategy,” Ms Tšita-Mosena said.
Efforts to get a comment from Minister of Foreign Affairs, Limpho Tau, his Principal Secretary, Thabang Lekhela, were fruitless as their mobile phones rang unanswered.
