Maseru — The issue of nationals of Lesotho living in South Africa or vice versa has always been as one of those taken very lightly between the people of the two countries, even at the highest level of authority. After all, the issue of Lesotho being the 10th province of South Africa or the past of being remote- controlled from Pretoria has always been on the lips of many in both countries.

However, even after numerous appeals for at least the government of Lesotho to take it as a special assignment to protect those Lesotho nationals looking for opportunities in South Africa, nothing much seem to have taken place.

It is only an issue when "the good relations between the two countries" has to be politicised with a sulking smile by our politicians to justify their doings, either of personal interest or even sometimes of bad faith.

While one may be forced to believe that the present government of Lesotho does not find it as one of its top priorities to take up the issue at the highest level, what we only witness on a daily basis, is the torture and ill- treatment of Basotho nationals in the neighbouring country. There are however a number of cases that the government has taken up, but to date, to no concrete details.

We can never run away from the fact that the two countries are not only connected by their geographical positions, but also even by many other things, from blood relations to development matters.

For instance, every year the government of Lesotho spends several millions of Maloti to pay for Basotho children in the South Africa tertiary and university institutions, this also happens for the health services and many other services. Almost every weekend there is traffic between the borders of the two countries, with relatives from either side attending a funeral of one of the family members, something that still means a lot in our culture.

While there have already been protests about the heavy educational permit requirements, but it doesn't really seem those in authority at the Lesotho government level are doing enough to talk this matter through, with their neighbour.

Recently there have been a number of reports of Basotho being arrested and deported back to Lesotho, even though some had stayed, lived and worked in South Africa for almost the rest of their lives.

Is there anything being done to protect the poor souls? We all know there are over four million Basotho in South Africa, while there are only about two million in Lesotho. There is no way we can stop the interaction and visitation.

But at the same time, while the laws should be followed, the rights of the people and their freedom of movement should also be taken into consideration. . ...