Several Lesotho diplomats and their families have been given 72-hours to leave South Africa due to the illicit trade of duty-free alcohol.
The Foreign affairs Ministry in Maseru said South Africa had taken the decision because they failed to comply with the laws of the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry expressed its disappointment and embarrassment that the Basotho diplomats have been declared persona non grata by South Africa. (persona non grata is a status applied by a host country to foreign diplomats to remove their protection by diplomatic immunity from arrest and prosecution.)
They were serving at the Lesotho High Commission in Pretoria, and Lesotho Consulate in Johannesburg, respectively.
The Lesotho Ministry further vowed disciplinary action once the officers returned home.