DIRCO flags illegal mining, cybercrime as border challenges
The Department of International Relations has identified illegal mining and cybercrimes as some of the challenges border officials are still grappling with.
Minister Ronald Lamola says they are working with their counterparts in Lesotho to tighten border security and crack down on these and other crimes.
Lamola was speaking at a meeting with senior government officials at the Second Bi-National Commission between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho in Maseru on Tuesday.
" We must stop criminality across our borders. Joint efforts to end stock theft, illegal mining, cybercrime, and other forms of criminality must succeed because these efforts will ensure that our two nations remain good neighbours."
However, Lamola has acknowledged that both countries are still lagging in efforts to address migration challenges, to enable the free flow of people across borders.'
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"In this regard, we've assigned the relevant ministries with the responsibility of developing a migration model that will address all the challenges that we're currently experiencing. [We are] taking into consideration the unique geographical locations of the two countries."
The minister says both countries have made progress in strengthening bilateral ties through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
" We welcome the launch of phase two of the project. This project contributes immensely to the growth of our economies, the development of our infrastructure, and ensures water security not only to the two countries, but potentially to other countries in the region."
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