#Polihali
Construction of the Polihali Dam in Lesotho’s highlands is advancing after delays, with 30% of the main work completed, according to the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority.

Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Lesotho’s giant dam takes shape
Polihali Dam will boost water transfers to Gauteng
groundup.org.za
September 8, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Phase II of the #Lesotho Highlands #Water Project (#LHWP) kicks off the drilling of the underground tunnel that will connect the #Polihali Reservoir to the #Katse Reservoir.

38km underground for this link.

It will connect to the 82 km of transfer tunnels to RSA

www.youtube.com/watch?si=Mnb...
Lesotho Highlands | Tunnel Boring Machine launched
YouTube video by SABC News
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2025 at 3:39 PM
But man, 800 million cubic meters is 800 BILLION litres.

That is how much #water the #Lesotho Highlands Water Project (#LHWP) transfers every year at the moment.

Come 2030 and #Polihali, that number will be over 1 TRILLION litres a year.

Almost unfathomable!
September 1, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Communities near the #Lesotho Highland #Water Project (#LHWP) construction sites for Phase II (#Polihali Dam), raise complaints to the #AfDB (African Development Bank). AfDB is providing funding for Phase II work

mg.co.za/the-green-gu...

#Gauteng
#SouthAfrica
#Development
‘Our Land, Our Lives’: Lesotho villagers challenge Gauteng water scheme
Lesotho villagers allege unsafe conditions and no accountability in the scheme to supply Gauteng
mg.co.za
September 25, 2025 at 12:51 PM
South African construction company Esor claims it is owed about M165-million for preparing to work on the Polihali Transfer Tunnel after receiving a letter confirming a contract.

Read groundup.org.za/article/sa-c... by Sechaba Mokhethi
SA company sues Lesotho tunnel builder for M165-million
Esor says a signed letter created a binding contract. But the tunnel joint venture says there was no deal.
groundup.org.za
August 31, 2026 at 1:05 PM
China's cutting-edge technology transforms Lesotho water project
The introduction of a Tunnel-Boring Machine at the Polihali Transfer Tunnel Project marks a significant advancement in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
www.youtube.com/watc...
January 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority filed papers Thursday arguing that a constitutional case brought on behalf of communities displaced by the Katse, Mohale and Polihali dams, should be summarily dismissed.

Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Lesotho dams authority fights back in “legally baseless” court case
Court applicants say the LHDA has failed to compensate them adequately after they were displaced
groundup.org.za
July 14, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Feed: "GroundUp News"
By: Sechaba Mokhethi on Sunday, September 7, 2025
Lesotho’s giant dam takes shape
Polihali Dam will boost water transfers to Gauteng
groundup.org.za
September 7, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Sanitation in the #Lesotho highlands at communities next to the #Polihali construction do not have access to #toilets at the moment.

#LHDA
#LHWP
#Water

Article from @CijLesotho:
lescij.org/2026/04/16/v...
Villagers forced to poop in the open near M454 million Polihali village - MNNCIJ
A view of the Polihali Village gates shows a blue pond on the left, and just outside the fence, an area below the road used by Masakong villagers for open defecation. Residents cross the tarred road d...
lescij.org
April 16, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Decent update on the progress of the #Polihali Dam and of the #Lesotho Highlands ##Water Project's (#LHWP) Phase II construction here from Sechaba Mokhethi.

#Development
#Gauteng
#LHDA
#SouthAfrica

groundup.org.za/article/leso...
Lesotho’s giant dam takes shape
Polihali Dam will boost water transfers to Gauteng
groundup.org.za
September 9, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Polihali Transfer tunnel (to #Katse Reservoir) is 30% complete

In short, looks like the #Gauteng region can weather a 6-month (planned) shutdown of the #LHWP and once the tap is turned on again, the #WhiteGold will flow once again.
March 5, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Lesotho’s new Polihali dam means that even more water will flow across the border to South Africa – but few benefits flow to the people being forced from their land in the construction process.
Village of the dammed: Basotho folk left high and dry
The new Polihali dam means that even more water will flow across the border to South Africa – but few benefits flow to the people being forced from their land in the construction process.
open.substack.com
June 19, 2023 at 5:40 PM
RAMAPHOSA AND KING LETSIE III LAUNCH SENQU BRIDGE - nbc
A major new bridge set to preserve access across the future Polihali Reservoir was officially launched on Wednesday by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and King Letsie III, who hailed the new Senqu Bridge as a critical engineering lifeline for Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). Footage shows the leaders cutting the ribbon to applause from attendees, alongside views of the completed structure. Ramaphosa and King Letsie used the project to highlight deepening political and economic ties between the two neighbouring countries. "The building of partnerships is very important in a changing, complex and uncertain global environment. Guided by the spirit of Pan-Africanism, South-South cooperation and solidarity, we are forging ahead to realise the vision of an economically integrated Africa as espoused by the African Union's Agenda 2063," Ramaphosa noted. The South African president also used the platform to announce a R30 million aid package from the African Renaissance Fund, aimed at helping Lesotho strengthen its national response to HIV and tuberculosis amid declining levels of international humanitarian assistance, including cuts to USAID. King Letsie III echoed the message of continuity and responsibility, calling for long-term commitment to joint development efforts. "Lesotho is proud to contribute to South Africa's water security while advancing its own economic development and energy aspirations through this unique collaboration. The question before us at this time is not only what has been achieved over the past 40 years but also whether we are building for the next 40 years with greater discipline, stronger integrity and a higher commitment to national benefit," the King noted. The 825-metre bridge spans the Senqu River gorge at an altitude of more than 2,100 metres above sea level, making it the longest bridge in Lesotho. It forms part of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a binational infrastructure programme established under a 1986 treaty between South Africa and Lesotho.
www.youtube.com
April 23, 2026 at 12:46 PM
@XHNews: The Polihali Transfer Tunnel is the second phase of the multi-phased Lesotho Highlands Water Project. The project has improved local infrastructure, provided employment, and passed on essential vocational skills #HelloAfrica https://t.co/OIFgERhfS0
Main link in OG tweet
http://xhtxs.cn/5aW
xhtxs.cn
July 14, 2025 at 10:59 AM