Maseru, Lesotho – The South African Department of Water and Sanitation’s recent media trip to Lesotho, aimed at showcasing progress on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), turned into a case study on the challenges behind the project’s ongoing delays and escalating costs.
The trip, which took place from December 12 to 16, was intended to give journalists an opportunity to see firsthand the developments of Phase II of the LHWP. However, the poorly organised trip raised significant concerns, with journalists facing frustration, miscommunication, and neglect. For many, the experience left them questioning the competence of the department in handling such a massive, costly undertaking.
Initially expected to finish in 2019, Phase II of the LHWP has seen its completion date pushed back to 2028-2029, while the projected cost has ballooned from a forecasted R8 billion in 2008 to a staggering R53 billion by 2025. Minister Pemmy Majodina, addressing the media in Lesotho on December 14, made it clear that there would be no further extensions, as South Africa can no longer afford to allocate more funds to the project.
Yet, the department’s lack of proper planning for the media trip raised serious doubts about its ability to meet the new deadline. Journalists, particularly those from South Africa, were invited late and received little information about the trip until the last minute. Transport arrangements were delayed, and even the promised itinerary was given only after each day’s events, leaving reporters scrambling to make last-minute adjustments.
Upon arriving in Lesotho, the situation worsened. Journalists were told they needed to bring their own safety boots to access construction sites, with one official suggesting they buy boots for R700. The trip also featured long stretches of waiting, missed meals, and inadequate communication, as ministers arrived late by helicopter, almost three hours behind schedule.
The ministers, including Majodina and Lesotho’s Minister of Natural Resources, Mohlomi Moleko, visited construction sites such as the Polihali dam and the Sengqu Bridge, but the trip was marked by logistical failures, including a lost bus ride and a lack of access to meals for the journalists. These issues raised concerns about the project’s broader management.
At the Sengqu Bridge construction site, Majodina was asked about the dramatic increase in the project’s budget from R8 billion to R53 billion. She explained that the original figure was based on no designs and that the costs had grown as work progressed. However, the opportunity for a full discussion was cut short when the ministers, citing weather concerns, hurriedly left the site after only answering a few questions.
The following day, Majodina was questioned about measures to prevent further cost increases. She stated that penalties would be imposed on contractors who delayed the work, and that competition was being encouraged to ensure deadlines were met. Despite this, there were concerns about the R5 billion contingency fund allocated to the project, with some experts questioning whether it would be enough to cover unforeseen costs.
Percy Sechemane, CEO of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), clarified that the funds for the project were borrowed, not sourced from taxpayer money, and that South Africa’s water boards would eventually pay for the water, ensuring repayment of the loans.
However, Julius Kleynhans, executive manager at Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), expressed deep concerns about the repeated delays and rising costs. He warned that the project risks becoming another white elephant, with little benefit for taxpayers who are covering the increasing costs.
The media trip concluded without an apology from the department for the disorganised experience. Instead, officials blamed external factors for the mishaps, and journalists were given a token gesture of three bottles of alcohol as an attempt to smooth things over. The return journey was also marred by mechanical issues with the bus, resulting in further delays.
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