Published: October 7, 2024
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Lesotho Travel Advisory and Lesotho Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Maseru:
254 Kingsway Avenue, Maseru, Lesotho
Tel: +266 22312666; U.S. Citizens with emergencies: +266-2231-2666; Outside of Office Hours: +266-5888-4035; Outside of Lesotho: +266-5888-1024
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
There is no OSAC country chapter in Lesotho.
Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Lesotho Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Lesotho.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Maseru as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Lesotho.
Government-enforced COVID lockdowns initially curtailed certain criminal activity in early 2020, but crime trends moved higher from pre-COVID-19 levels. Overall, endemic poverty and widespread unemployment continue to contribute to an increase in criminal activity. Limited private-sector work opportunities in Lesotho and in South Africa contribute to high rates of unemployment.
Steadily declining remittances from Basotho workers performing seasonal or mining work in South Africa continue to have a negative impact on this trend as well. The large number of unemployed individuals loitering downtown, in residential areas, and in other areas expatriates frequent allows criminals to blend into the populace easily.
There is no evidence that U.S. travelers are direct targets for any criminal activity in Maseru. Rather, foreigners are targets because of their perceived affluence. Most reported incidents are crimes of opportunity for immediate gain (e.g., simple assault, pickpocketing, petty theft). Victims of street crime are often inattentive targets of opportunity. Theft of cell phones, computers, money, jewelry, and other handheld electronic devices is common. Thieves can and do snatch valuables through open car windows. There has been an increase in the number of criminal incidents involving expatriates who were walking during the hours approaching dusk and overnight hours.
While ATM scams (skimming) are not common, they are prevalent throughout South Africa. Police indicate an increase in attempts to use cloned debit cards at ATMs in Lesotho. Exercise caution when using any ATM. Use ATMs inside shopping malls, hotels, and banks since they are normally high-traffic areas and are monitored by security guards/cameras. Before approaching the ATM, scan the area for any suspicious persons or activity. Should anyone approach you while you are withdrawing money, immediately cancel the transaction and leave the area. Should you encounter issues while using the ATM, never accept assistance from a “Good Samaritan” as this could be a distraction technique. Avoid the vicinity of an ATM when it is being serviced because such servicing typically includes the transfer of large sums of cash and could be the target of criminals. Scan the ATM for any odd or out of place device (especially around the area of the card reader), an altered keypad, hidden camera facing the keypad, etc. Check your credit card and other banking statements on a regular basis. If discrepancies are noted, inform your banking institution immediately.
Even though Lesotho has very strict gun-control laws, criminal elements smuggle firearms in from South Africa through the porous border. The use of firearms in conducting criminal acts is on the rise. As such, increases in the tactics more commonly seen in South Africa are on the rise in Lesotho. This includes the increased use of car remote jammers/blockers to commit burglaries of vehicles parked at large shopping areas with limited visibility by guards or cameras.
Criminals are generally well-armed and are not averse to using violence to achieve their objective, especially when they encounter resistance. Should an armed individual confront you, immediately comply, avoid making sudden movements, and do not offer any resistance. Any hesitation could be perceived as a threat and could result in violence. Crimes committed at knifepoint have increased and are the most common force used; crimes committed at gunpoint are also becoming more common.
The limited amount of police data available indicates an increase in more violent crimes (e.g., armed robberies, sexual assaults, homicides, residential break-ins). Increasingly, criminals are resorting to violence to subdue their victims, obtain items of value, commit a sexual offense, or as a means of eliciting information regarding valuables in the home. Current trends indicate an increase in motor vehicle theft, home invasions, and increased cooperation with criminal elements in South Africa.
Those living in Lesotho, especially in Maseru, should consider upgraded security at their residences to reduce their vulnerability to home invasion. Intrusion alarms, perimeter walls topped with an anti-climb feature, sufficient perimeter lighting, window/door grilles, automated vehicle gates, security guard services, solid-core doors, and deadbolt locks are all part of a comprehensive residential security plan.
Vehicle theft in Maseru is common. Motorists should park in well-illuminated areas with high foot traffic and security guards. While carjackings are not as prevalent as in South Africa, vehicle theft takes place at all hours, in both downtown and residential neighborhoods.
Organized crime is uncommon and generally involves participants from South Africa. Organized criminal groups are involved in vehicle theft and human trafficking. While the government is taking active steps to combat both, the well-established and often sophisticated organized crime networks use Lesotho as a venue to register stolen cars. Human trafficking is on the rise as Basotho citizens continue to be lured into South Africa with promises of good paying jobs, but many are forced to work in illegal mining or the illegal sex trade. There have been several incidents attributed to gang violence in Lesotho. These gangs, related to local accordion music called famo and affiliated with the local political parties, occasionally clash in the capital and in outlying areas and have also been involved in revenge killings.
The crime rates in the Leribe and Mafeteng areas are higher than other districts. The crime rate in Maseru, on the other hand, is approximately five times higher than in all other districts. There are no off-limit areas identified for Lesotho.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Lesotho.
Kidnappings are uncommon but rumored to occur. Most incidents are more accurately categorized as false imprisonment and are usually the result of a domestic dispute or an express kidnapping wherein the victim is driven to an ATM to retrieve money and subsequently released. Most true kidnapping victims are members of the local population.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Maseru as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Lesotho.
Lesotho’s border with South Africa is porous. Individuals or groups connected to terrorism could move easily back and forth between the two countries.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Lesotho as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Lesotho. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy. The king, constitutionally barred from domestic politics, is head of state; the prime minister is head of the government and cabinet.
The political environment is highly contested within and among Lesotho’s numerous (40 plus) political parties. Snap elections held in 2015 followed a period of instability beginning with 2014 clashes between the army and the police and the collapse of the ruling three-party coalition. The most recent free and fair elections in 2017 occurred without incidence and were lauded for their transparency. A peaceful transition to a new administration, composed of a four-party coalition government, capped an electoral period that was free of political violence. The current two-party coalition government, which came into power in 2020, seems keen on implementing South African Development Community (SADC) recommendations, fulfilling requirements to maintain the country’s African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) participation, and maintaining eligibility to develop a second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact. Many of the administration’s actions are consistent with a government prioritizing rule of law.
Protests & Demonstrations
Lesotho endured a period of domestic political tumult from 2014 to 2018.
Demonstrations are primarily small, non-violent, and politically or economically based. Demonstrations are used throughout the country by opposing political parties and groups and occasionally cause disruption to the flow of pedestrians and vehicular traffic. One recent multi-day, multi-area factory worker strike was violent and involved rock throwing at surrounding pedestrians, vehicles, and buildings, burning of tires, and closing of the main roads with rocks and debris. Avoid demonstrations or large gatherings of people, as even non-violent gatherings can quickly turn violent.
There have been no recent major incidents of civil unrest. Minor student rallies and taxi driver union rallies occur occasionally, but these have largely been curtailed of late due to COVID-19 government enforced lockdowns, and restrictions on movement.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Anti-Western sentiment is not prevalent in Lesotho.
Law Enforcement
Dial 123 or 124 for police, 121 for an ambulance, 122 for the fire brigade. Contact the nearest police station in person or police officer on patrol. Dial the landline for your local police station. Post the crime or incident on the police social media page.
The security forces consist of the Lesotho Defense Force, Lesotho Mounted Police Service, National Security Service, and Lesotho Correctional Service. The Lesotho Defense Force maintains external security and may support police when the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) commissioner requests assistance. The National Security Service is an intelligence service that provides information on possible threats to internal and external security.
LMPS, the national police service, is a centralized, national organization and falls under the Ministry of Police and Public Safety. Its headquarters are in Maseru, with offices in all districts and border post locations with South Africa, as well as an office at Moshoeshoe International Airport. Most areas of policing and law enforcement fall under the LMPS (e.g., airport security, emergency response, criminal investigations, and drug enforcement), except for immigration matters, which are handled by the Lesotho Immigration Department. There were credible reports members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service and Lesotho Defense Force committed some human rights abuses.
Police Response
Police response may be particularly slow in rural areas.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Lesotho, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Lesotho.
While incidents of police detention, corruption, bribery, or harassment have been reported frequently, they are not common in the expatriate community. Should an encounter with police occur, respect and cooperation are the best way to avoid potential problems. Should such incidents occur, do not do anything that could put your personal safety at risk. Never bribe the police as this is likely to increase the incidence of expat vehicle stops. There have been numerous reports of government corruption.
Cybersecurity
With poor cyber security and inadequate legislation, Lesotho has almost no capability to identify or defend against malicious and nuisance cyber threats or cyberattacks.
Import/Export Restrictions
Prohibited items include:
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons, Explosives and ammunition
- Dangerous weapons
- Plant and Plant products – unless permission has been obtained
- Pets and animals – unless permission has been obtained
- Dairy and meat products
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Gambling machines
- Pornographic or blasphemous material
Restricted items include:
- Livestock, seeds, bulbs, plants and trees may not be imported without payment of Customs and Sales Duty and are subject to quarantine restrictions.
- Goods with serial numbers must be declared at the customs department before being granted admission into the country.
- All cats and dogs being imported into the country will require a veterinarian health certificate alongside a rabies vaccination certificate issued by the country of origin before being granted entry.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
