South Africa\u2019s (SA) Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, is in Lesotho on an oversight visit to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase Two, amid mounting concern over delays to the multi-billion-rand scheme.<\/p>\n
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The project is critical to boosting water supply to SA\u2019s Integrated Vaal River System, which supports the country\u2019s main industrial and economic hub. Majodina is leading a high-level delegation to assess progress on the ground and to press project authorities for accountability.<\/p>\n
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On the first day of the visit on Sunday, December 14, Majodina acknowledged that Phase Two has fallen behind schedule, with completion now expected later than originally planned. The project was initially slated for completion by 2028.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhen you design a project, you say the completion date is 2028, but you must also take into cognisance that there are certain factors that are not in your control,\u201d Majodina said. \u201cHence, we are talking 2028, 2029. But within that, there are projects that are already completed, and we must appreciate that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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She pointed to progress on several components, including an 825-metre bridge expected to be completed in January, as well as social infrastructure such as prisons, clinics and hospitals that are already in the pipeline.<\/p>\n
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The Minister attributed the delays to a combination of environmental challenges and poor performance by some contractors.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis is an outdoor project, where inclement weather plays a role in delaying the work,\u201d she said. \u201cThere was also no good performance by certain contractors on site. Together with the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority and the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, we agreed that if a contractor does not meet certain targets within a specified time, the work must be taken away and given to another contractor. Since that process started, there is now a commitment to delivering on time.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Concerns have also been raised about the rising cost of Phase Two. Lesotho\u2019s Minister of Natural Resources, Mohlomi Moleko, confirmed the scale of the investment and its regional significance.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe estimated cost will be about R60 billion ( $3.54 billion) when it\u2019s complete,\u201d Moleko said. \u201cBut it also depends on the savings we might make as we progress. This project is supporting the biggest economic hub in Africa, which is the Gauteng region.\u201d<\/p>\n
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SA\u2019s Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation says it is closely tracking the project to ensure setbacks are identified early and addressed. Deputy Minister Seiso Mohai said his department is using direct monitoring tools to strengthen oversight.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe use what we call frontline monitoring and evaluation,\u201d Mohai explained. \u201cWe visit projects together with departments, and sometimes independently. We use sector specialists, including engineers, to assess progress, milestones and outcomes, so that priorities are reinforced and there is discipline in implementation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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