Mixed reaction as govt warns on goods smuggling
‘MATHATO SEBOKA
MASERU – Government is alarmed that there continues to be smuggling of eggs, potatoes and cabbage into the country by various businesses disregarding the ban on such commodities since January this year.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition hosted a presser where they warned that such behaviour will attract the wrath of law enforcement.
“It has come to our observation as the government through the Ministry of Agriculture that there is a section of the community that is not considering or complying with this decision as they continue to import these goods into the country illegally through unauthorised channels,” Social development minister Pitso Lesaoana standing in for the Agriculture minister on Monday.
Importing goods that have been banned is breaching the law, the minister cautioned.
“I want to make people aware that importing these goods that have been banned is illegal. I appeal to the perpetrators of such acts to stop these illegal actions as soon as they hear this message.”
Lesaoana said that the ministry is committed to work with government institutions and security agencies to ensure that these products are not imported through any illegal entries including all legal borders of the country.
“We are committed to continue to restrict the importation of eggs, potatoes and cabbage based on the current production in the country. We will make recommendations that will satisfy producers, traders and consumers at all times,” Lesaoana said.
He stated that the Ministry made a decision to ban eggs, potatoes and cabbage after they got convinced that Lesotho has a high production of these products in order to provide effectively satisfy the domestic market adding the move provides opportunity for local farmers to supply and profit.
“After receiving advice from our marketing department that there is high production of eggs, cabbage and potatoes produced by our farmers in the country the Ministry of Agriculture decided ban eggs importation in the country from the beginning of January; we also banned the importation of cabbage and potatoes in June 2025,” Lasaoana stipulated.
The ministry indicated a willingness to update, amend or change the ban on any possible changes based on the status of the production and demand for these products.
Agric ministry marketing director Lekhooe Makhate said every week they look at different prices of the farmers and according to them the prices are still normal.
“Every week we take different price list on the banned products and if we notice that prices have increased, we will implement the price control law,” Makhate said.
Liepollo Mothae, a local consumer said that she does not agree with the ministry on the ban on these products questioning how the government guarantees quality goods for consumers.
“I honestly believe that Basotho are not at a point where they are ready for country wide production of good quality products. The potatoes we are subject to buy are low quality compared to those from South Africa. The cabbage we are forced to eat is full of aphids,” she said.
She also stated that she believes the government should have looked things form all sides so that both the farmers and consumers are satisfied.
Molete Letele, a cabbage farmer praised the ministry for taking such a move indicating that the move gives them an opportunity to produce and benefit more.
“This move will also help Lesotho to stand on its feed in terms of food production and to stop depending on other countries; it also helps the economy to grow. The money circulates in the country.”
He said that even though the business is too slow because of unemployment, he believes there will be growth borne form the ban of these commodities.
Since the ban January Lesotho has been comfortably able to feed its people from its own farmers and soil six month on.
