South Africa's Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba, says residents have until the end of September to submit applications.

The Lesotho permit initiative is a special dispensation for Lesotho nationals who work‚ study or do business in South Africa and arrived in the country before 30 September 2015.

The permit initiative was launched in February 2016 and will expire in December 2019. Gigaba says they have simplified the application process.

“ We have even taken a step further of allowing the Lesotho government to establish their mobile solutions here in South Africa in the office of the visa facilitations so that the Basotho nationals who do not have smart ID cards from Lesotho and passports can submit their applications whilst in South Africa without having to return to Lesotho. 

"Those Basotho who do not yet have passports can submit their applications if they meet all the other requirements, if they have their Lesotho ID cards , have police clearances, proof of employment or study or conductive business.”

Nthakoana Ngatane has more from Maseru...

--sabc--