Home Affairs on ID emergency mode

‘MANTŠANG KHUTLISI

MASERU – The National Identity and Civil Registry Office in Qacha’s Nek has notified the public that only emergency cases will be processed until further notice. This announcement has sparked concern and frustration among citizens, many of whom depend on national ID cards for vital administrative, legal, and financial transactions.

While the ministry has emphasized the temporary nature of the decision, no clear timeline has been provided for when normal services might resume. The ministry states that the measure is a necessity in order to manage the limited resources responsibly.

In Maseru, the capital city, the scarcity has led to unprecedented scenes of desperation and discomfort. Only 70 ID cards are being printed daily at the Maseru Mall branch, despite a much higher demand.

Countless Basotho have resorted to spending nights outside the office premises in hopes of making it onto the next day’s limited assistance list.

“I had no money to go back home and return the next day, I had to sleep on the ground just to be helped in the morning,” said one woman who spent the night outside the Maseru Mall office.

The crisis is not isolated to Maseru.

In Morija, the station prints only 30 ID cards daily.

Despite the freezing conditions, hopeful applicants camp overnight to secure a spot on the list which allegedly is made the previous day.

In Thaba-Tseka, only 50 IDs are printed each day. The pattern of short supply and long waits is consistent across the country.

According to a government employee based in Thaba-Tseka, the root of the issue lies in the unavailability of the raw materials required for producing ID cards.

“There simply are not enough supplies to meet the demand,” the official confirmed.

As frustration mounts, reports of corruption and misconduct among some civil servants have also emerged. An employee at Maseru Mall, who requested anonymity, described a toxic atmosphere where colleagues have turned on each other due to bribery and favouritism.

“A list of 70 people is written every morning, those who are not on the list start negotiating with certain staff members, offering bribes in exchange for fast-tracked services. It is creating tension and resentment within our team,” the employee explained.

This internal strife not only undermines the integrity of the service but also worsens the suffering of ordinary citizens who are simply trying to access a basic right.

The ongoing crisis underscores the fragility of essential services in Lesotho and highlights the pressing need for sustainable solutions.

Citizens are calling for the ministry to provide greater transparency about the shortage and its expected duration.

In the meantime, the ministry continues to appeal for understanding and cooperation from the public, reiterating that only emergency applications will be considered.

As winter tightens its grip on the country, many Basotho are left in limbo, braving cold nights and uncertainty in pursuit of a simple piece of identification – the ID.

For now, the question remains, how long Basotho will have to wait to access a document that defines their citizenship and rights.