Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina today presided over the reopening of the Lesotho Highlands Water Tunnel, marking the end of a R320 million maintenance project that lasted seven months—one month longer than initially anticipated.
The tunnel, a critical component of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, transfers water from the Katse Dam to the Muela Power Station, supplying four South African provinces—Gauteng, Free State, North West, and Mpumalanga. The extended maintenance period caused reduced water volumes, impacting farmers and municipalities, particularly in the eastern Free State.
Challenges and Mitigation Efforts
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation acknowledged the delays, attributing them to unforeseen engineering challenges on the Lesotho side. Despite this, he assured that contingency measures, including water releases from reserve dams, were implemented to mitigate shortages.
However, local farmers expressed frustration over inadequate communication and insufficient interim water supply solutions. Some claimed municipalities failed to provide sufficient water tankers or alternative irrigation sources, severely affecting agricultural operations.
Relief Ahead
With the tunnel now operational, water flow into South Africa’s Vaal River System is expected to stabilize. The deputy minister emphasized the necessity of the maintenance, stating that further delays would have risked long-term infrastructure failures.
While the reopening brings relief, concerns remain over municipal preparedness for future disruptions. The department has urged local governments to improve contingency planning to prevent similar crises.
The affected communities and farmers will be closely monitoring water restoration in the coming days.