"Where Do You Expect Them to Go?": Hole Cut in South Africa-Lesotho Border Fence Divides Mzansi

• Michael Beaumont, the national chairperson of the South African documented a cut border fence at the South Africa-Lesotho crossing, showing an active gap that locals say has been there for years
• The person filming was immediately approached by Lesotho nationals offering to smuggle goods across the border upon arrival
• Every informal trader at the nearby taxi rank was reportedly an undocumented Lesotho national, with no South Africans selling goods there

A South African content creator captured footage of a damaged border fence at the crossing between South Africa and Lesotho on 18 September, revealing what appeared to be a long-standing gap used for illegal entry.

The video was filmed in rainy conditions at the official crossing point. The person behind the camera narrated the scene while walking with two companions, all wearing matching Action SA-branded T-shirts.

The Action SA member in the video reposted by @newsnesxussa said that the moment they stepped out of their vehicle, the group was approached by Lesotho nationals offering to carry goods across the border illegally. The narrator described every informal trader working at the nearby long-distance taxi distribution point as an undocumented Lesotho national, with no South African sellers in sight.

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Walking toward the Kaladin River, the group found a hole cut into the border fence. According to the narrator, this was not a recent breach. He said:

"This has been operating like this for years, for years,"

During Action SA's filming, someone was spotted approaching the crossing through the gap but turned back after noticing the camera. The narrator acknowledged it as a small win but expressed doubt it would change much, saying people had come to accept the situation as normal. Watch the full border walk below:

South Africans split over border security

The video drew a range of responses, with some viewers calling for stronger border enforcement while others pushed back on the framing.

@yoyanikaba wrote:

"Stronger fence should be built voting action SA 👌"

@Lebza babe said:

"ActionSA, please continue to check the security system of our borders, thank you 👏👏👏 we know that all of these things are happening now"

@Sthabi_Tabs responded:

"I'm a South African and I care much about Lesotho nationals, they are fully surrounded by South Africa where do you expect them to go"

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@Champion26🇿🇦 added:

"Lesotho is one of us buddy. I don't see us fighting that fight."

Other Briefly News stories about border control

• BMA border guards and law enforcement officers intercepted a massive shipment of methaqualone a primary chemical component used to manufacture Mandrax, at the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
• Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato detailed how human smuggling syndicates, known as "Goma Gomas," charge migrants to cross the Limpopo River into South Africa.
• Undocumented foreign nationals returning home during recent enforcement operations stated that leaving South Africa is not a final departure, as they plan to return once they fix their documentation.

Source: Briefly News