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Lesotho highlands water project officially launched
MOKHOTLONG - After years of delays, the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water project is finally in progress, with construction of the Polihali Dam well underway.
It was officially launched on Tuesday by both the South African and Lesotho governments.
But residents of Modingoaneng in Mokhotlong, where construction is taking place, are not celebrating as they may be forced to move from the area.
Some residents say they are yet to be consulted.
A R39-billion project aimed at alleviating South Africa's water constraints.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said, "the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is more than just a water project. It's a beacon of hope, a symbol of progress and international cooperation and a testament to the strength of the bilateral relationship between the Kingdom of Lesotho and South Africa."
Madingoaneng residents are unhappy with how things are progressing.
Matiisetso Mothokoa said, "these people are abusing us. You can see they have built a fence here, but we don't have toilets. There are no taps. We don't have water. We have to go far to that school to get water."
With scores set to be relocated, there are also concerns over compensation.
82-year-old Lemana Lengwase says two of his farming strips have already been taken with no explanation.
He said, "they are just erecting this fence. When you check, there are two or three or four on that side, but no one has come to talk to me to let me know what's happening. You can see those poles erected there on the side, but my main worry is that no one is communicating with me."
Water and Sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu said, "when they approached people practically on the ground and they negotiated with them that they will need to move because of this project, there would have been undertakings and these undertakings must be fulfilled."
Meanwhile, Lesotho is earmarked to receive over 90 megawatts of power through a hydro-electric plant that will be built as part of the project.
What you see a 38 kilometre tunnel that will ferry water into the Katse Dam. It's expected to pump over 1,200 million cubic metres of water a year to Gauteng.
But South Africans will only see a drop of water from a phase of the project in five years time as it’s only earmarked for completion in 2028.