Lesotho Highlands Water Project hits 56.7% progress as dam and tunnel works advance

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2 remains on schedule according to the Department of Water and Sanitation, with progress now standing at 56.7%. Speaking at a site visit in Mokhotlong District from September 11 to 13, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and Deputy Minister Seiso Mohai welcomed the advancement since the previous visit in April.

Dam construction on the 165-meter Polihali Dam has reached 53% completion after initial delays, with impounding expected in July 2027. However, poor underground conditions have slowed tunnel boring machines, with the Polihali TBM excavating just 10.5% and the Katse TBM accounting for 14.3% of the waterway tunnel. Despite these setbacks, a mitigating plan has been put in place to recover the lost time.

Around 209 households affected by the dam are being resettled, currently at 49% completion covering new housing, grave relocations and compensation. Three major bridges - Senqu, Khubelu, and Mabunyaneng - have been completed, providing safe access to Lesotho's main north-eastern route connecting Mokhotlong District to Maseru, the capital city.

Since the project's inception, it has directly created 16,000 job opportunities for both Basotho and South Africans, viewed as a partnership built on shared benefit between the two nations.