uMngeni Local Municipality Mayor Chris Pappas has reached out to the Kingdom of Lesotho’s High Commission in South Africa to address challenges related to undocumented Basotho nationals living and working in the area. The DA-led municipality, based in Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, seeks assistance to manage concerns about illegal labor, exploitation, and alleged criminal activity linked to some undocumented individuals. Pappas’ letter to High Commissioner Ntsime Jafeta outlines issues identified through discussions with law enforcement, community organizations, and local social bodies like the Local AIDS Council and the Gender-Based Violence Forum.
The municipality aims to improve cooperation on health matters, especially HIV/Aids prevention, and to tackle crime linked to a small group of undocumented individuals. The Basotho community, which plays a significant role in the local economy, faces barriers to accessing key services due to their undocumented status. Pappas emphasized that the focus is not on blaming migrants but on ensuring lawful migration, protecting public health, and fostering safe neighborhoods. He called for collaborative efforts between governments and communities to address the challenges and improve the situation for both migrants and residents.
The municipality aims to improve cooperation on health matters, especially HIV/Aids prevention, and to tackle crime linked to a small group of undocumented individuals. The Basotho community, which plays a significant role in the local economy, faces barriers to accessing key services due to their undocumented status. Pappas emphasized that the focus is not on blaming migrants but on ensuring lawful migration, protecting public health, and fostering safe neighborhoods. He called for collaborative efforts between governments and communities to address the challenges and improve the situation for both migrants and residents.
