Parliament, Tuesday, 24 February 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation will this week undertake an oversight visit to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project in Maseru, Lesotho. The visit is critical in the context of the strategic input the water has on South Africa’s economic hub and most populous province in the country, Gauteng.
“Water plays an essential socio-economic role and the ability to secure and guarantee access is critical. The importance of bulk water was highlighted as a key priority in the State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the oversight visit will assess the implementation of the priority,” said Mr Leon Basson, the Chairperson of the committee.
The visit comes at an opportune time as Gauteng is facing various water shortage challenges. While these challenges are as a result of infrastructure challenges at municipal level, the committee will assess if the project is delivering on its mandate to ensure availability
Furthermore, the visit follows the briefing the committee received from the Minister of Water and Sanitation that occurred on 03 September 2024 on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Tunnel Closure, for maintenance. The committee has since its inception been steadfast about the need for increased focus on maintenance of bulk infrastructure to prevent wastages and to ensure availability and increase the infrastructure lifespan.
“The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a water supply development partnership between Lesotho and South Africa through a treaty signed in 1986. It comprises the construction of several large dams and tunnels throughout Lesotho into phases 1 and 2 with Phase 1, consisting of the Katse Dam, Muela power station, Mohale Dam, and 82 km of tunnels which was completed in 2003 delivering around 780 million cubic meters of water to South Africa, which amounts to well over 40% of the water supply to the South African economy. It is in this context that an oversight visit is essential,” Mr Basson emphasised.
The visit will include a briefing from the SA High Commissioner to Lesotho, site visits to the Katse Phase II works, Senqu Bridge site, Polihali Tranfer Tunnel Site and Oxbow Hydropower Site. The Committee will also interact with representatives from the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency (LHDA) and the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA).
Details of the Visit
Date:25-27 February 2025
Place(First Day): Katse Phase II Works site
Time: 10:30
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND SANITATION, MR LEON BASSON
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Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
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E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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