We, the civil society organisations under the auspices of the Lesotho Council of NGOs (LCN) representing and serving Basotho community organised into several formations countrywide;

Recognising, the geographical location of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa and the subsequent socio-cultural as well as economic interdependence of the nations of the two states;

Aware, of the existing harmonious relations between Lesotho and the post-Apartheid South Africa characterised by the several bilateral agreements, including Treaty on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation (JBCC) among others;

Further aware, that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) of which the two countries are members under its regional integration programme has identified the free movement of people of the region as one of the priorities;

Recalling, that the Rt Honourable the Prime Minister and His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki signed an agreement in 2007 in Cape Town South Africa to the facilitate such a free movement between the two countries;

Mindful, of the jubilant mood that covered the whole African continent when Mr. Joseph Sepp Blatter, the President of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) announced that the FIFA 2010 World Cup shall be held in South Africa in 2004;

Believing, that Basotho have a right to fully enjoy the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, because it is an African event, a reality confirmed by His Excellency Happy Mahlangu, the South African High Commissioner in Lesotho who invited Basotho to “Feel it!!! It is here!!!” during the celebration Freedom Day on the 27th April 2010 in Maseru and endorsed by President Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa by inviting all African leaders to the same event;

Surprised, that during this jubilation period;

1. The government of the Kingdom of Lesotho declares cancelation of the temporary travel document, without having warned users in advance, a decision whose repercussions are to be felt now and in future ;
   
   
2. The government of the Republic of South Africa decides to suspend application of Border Concession popularly known as SIX MONTHS until the end of World Cup games;

Further amazed that the government of the Kingdom of Lesotho denies knowledge of the changes to border concessions;
 

Therefore resolve as follows:

1. Publicise the dissatisfaction of the people of Lesotho about the (a) prompt decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Safety and Parliamentary Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho on the use of Temporary Travel Permit (b) decision of the Republic of South Africa on changes to border concessions.
    
2. Call upon the government of the Kingdom of Lesotho to review its decision, the government of South Africa to allow Basotho free and ordinary movement to South Africa
    
3. That failure of the South African government to act immediately, the official opening ceremony of the tournament shall be met with protest in the grounds of South African High Commission right at the time of the celebrations in South Africa;
    
4. Government of Lesotho should come out clearly and address the nation on its position towards South African government decision.