{
  "id": 4633130,
  "title": "SA company sues Lesotho tunnel builder for M165-million",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/sa-company-sues-lesotho-tunnel-builder-for-m165-million",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T11:20:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GroundUp",
    "slug": "groundup",
    "url": "https://groundup.org.za/article/sa-construction-company-sues-for-m165-million-over-lesotho-tunnel/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South African construction firm Esor Construction is suing Lesotho's Kopano Ke Matla joint venture, and its three partners, for over M165-million for work on the Polihali Transfer Tunnel. The tunnel is part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which aims to transfer water from the Polihali Dam to the Katse Dam for distribution to South Africa. The project is expected to gradually increase water transfers from 780 million to more than 1.27 billion cubic meters annually. Kopano Ke Matla, which consists of China's Yellow River Company, Sinohydro Bureau 3, and South Africa's Unik Civil Engineering, was awarded a M9.2-billion contract to construct the tunnel in November 2022. However, Esor claims that there is no valid agreement between the parties, as Kopano Ke Matla never finalized the detailed subcontract agreement within the required 28 days after receiving Esor's final revised tender. Esor has submitted a payment claim of M78.9-million, alleging loss of overheads, profit, and wasted expenditure incurred in preparing for and partially performing the tunnel works.",
  "summary": "Esor says a signed letter created a binding contract. But the tunnel joint venture says there was no deal.",
  "key_points": [
    "South African firm Esor Construction sues Lesotho's Kopano Ke Matla joint venture.",
    "Over M165-million claimed for Polihali Transfer Tunnel work.",
    "Kopano Ke Matla lacks valid agreement, Esor alleges."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}