Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has commended the completion of maintenance work on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Tunnel System, despite delays.
Majodina, together with Deputy Ministers, David Mahlobo and Sello Seitlholo, witnessed the reopening of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project tunnel in Clarens, Free State, on Sunday, 25 May 2025.
The LHWP tunnel system was closed on 1 October 2024 for a period of six months for a joint maintenance operation undertaken by Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) on a Delivery Tunnel North within South Africa, and the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency (LHDA) on the Transfer and Delivery South Tunnels in Lesotho.
The tunnel was scheduled to reopen in March this year, but due to maintenance work delays experienced in the Delivery Tunnel South on the side of Lesotho, the closure was extended to allow the maintenance work to be completed.
In South Africa, maintenance work was completed on schedule and finalised on 19 March 2025.
Speaking at the Ash River Outfall of Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Majodina said she was satisfied that the maintenance work has been completed, despite the delays experienced.
“The tunnel was finally refilled with water from Lesotho and water has now reached the country. We are here to witness the flow of water which will supply more than 400 million cubic meters of water annually to the Vaal Dam.
“The water will serve Free State and Gauteng provinces. We must also highlight that during the tunnel closure, the municipalities that rely mainly on water supply from the tunnel were not severely affected as there were other contingency plans that were made to ensure that the communities continue to have water,” Majodina said.
The Minister highlighted that Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Project, which entails the construction of Polihali Dam in Lesotho will be expedited, as it also experienced delays.
“In April this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa led South African delegation on the Bi National Commission between South Africa and Lesotho, and one of the issues discussed was the expedition of LHWP Phase 2 that has been marred by delays.
“It was agreed that the acceleration plan was to be developed by the contractors on site to ensure that the project is completed. We cannot continue to postpone the completion of the project,” the Minister said.
Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, who was among the delegation accompanied the Minister, acknowledged the collaboration of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and the Free State provincial government to ensure sustainable water supply to the affected municipalities during the tunnel closure.
“The teamwork demonstrated between on all spheres of government is commendable, despite the challenges experienced during the maintenance work. The municipalities affected by the tunnel closure were prioritised, and interventions from the Department of Water and Sanitation ensured that there were no water supply challenges. It is therefore fulfilling to be here and witness the flow of water from the tunnel,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za
