‘Our Land, Our Lives’: Lesotho villagers challenge Gauteng water scheme

Eighteen rural communities in Lesotho’s Mokhotlong district have lodged a formal complaint with the African Development Bank (AfDB) about Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The AfDB is a key financier of the cross-border scheme which will supply more water to Gauteng, while providing Lesotho with hydropower.

But about 16 00 villagers from pastoralist and farming communities filed a complaint with the AfDB’s Independent Redress Mechanism, alleging the project is causing social, environmental and cultural harm that will escalate unless action is taken.

“The impacts caused by the project include social and economic displacement, environmental damage, gender-based harms, loss of biodiversity and labour-related issues,” the communities said in their complaint.

“Many households are vulnerable, including women, elderly people and youth, who have been disproportionately affected.”

Read the full article from Mail & Guardian here.