The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase II is moving forward with resettlement efforts to address the impact of displacement caused by the construction of the Polihali Dam.
The project’s resettlement programme aims to mitigate the effects of physical and economic displacement through compensation, relocation, and livelihood restoration. The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), which oversees the implementation, has been working closely with affected households and community structures to develop a comprehensive approach.
In October 2024, the first resettlement housing contract for LHWP Phase II was awarded to Sixty 15 Joint Venture, a partnership of three Lesotho-based companies: Motjetjepa Investments (Eagle Construction), Afro-Asia Engineering, and Geo Construction. The R372.8 million contract, which began in January 2025, includes the construction of at least 64 houses, a church, a community hall, and a chief’s office at the Tloha re Bue and Ha Ramonakalali resettlement sites in Malingoaneng. Infrastructure such as roads and water reticulation will also be developed at Makalong for relocated households from Lits’otsong.
The contract prioritizes local participation, with subcontracting opportunities available for businesses in construction, security, transport, material supply, and catering.
Community engagement and consultation
The Lima-Thaha Joint Venture (LTJV), responsible for planning and implementing resettlement for the Polihali Dam Basin, has engaged with communities since 2017 through focus groups, public meetings, and discussions with local leaders.
Mpaleng Oliphant, Resettlement Manager at LTJV, emphasized the significance of visible progress for affected communities: “Resettlement is a big step for us. It was comforting to have thorough consultations where our concerns were genuinely heard. We had platforms to provide feedback and the freedom to choose plans that suit our family’s needs. I especially appreciate that we can reuse materials from our old homes to build traditional fire huts. This makes the transition more meaningful.”
Affected households have been involved in site selection, housing design, and compensation discussions, ensuring transparency and community participation in decision-making.
LHWP Phase II planned relocation sites
The new sites have been designed to provide modern amenities while respecting cultural traditions. Features include planned village layouts, water reticulation with community standpipes, solar panels for each household, fenced yards, vegetable gardens, and traditional housing options such as rondavels and mokhoro.
For those choosing to remain in Masakong, infrastructure upgrades such as new roads, water reticulation, and solar energy installations are planned. Other households are relocating to different areas within or outside the project zone.
Progress on replacement housing
Construction of replacement houses began in January 2022. So far, nine houses have been completed in Checheng, Mapholaneng, Makokoaneng, Ha Sekila, Phakoeng, and Ha Poli (Leribe) for those affected by the Polihali North-East Access Road and Polihali Western Access Corridor developments.
In 2023, nine households in Liphofung were relocated due to the transfer tunnel quarry in Leribe. The four-household village of Lits’otsong was also relocated to Makalong in Mokhotlong.
LHWP Phase II is expected to impact approximately 11,700 assets, with 270 households and 21 business structures identified for relocation. Over 570 graves have already been relocated from access road sites and the site establishment area, with further relocations planned in the coming months.
Compensation payments for affected assets continue as the project advances, ensuring that all displaced households receive support. With a structured approach that includes extensive community engagement, sustainable infrastructure development, and local business participation, LHWP Phase II aims to minimize disruption while delivering long-term benefits to the region.
