Lesotho villagers complain of damage from water project backed by African Development Bank

"Eighteen rural communities in Lesotho have filed a complaint with the African Development Bank (AfDB) over its funding of a multibillion-pound water project whose construction process they claim has ruined fields, polluted water sources and damaged homes. About 1,600 people living in the villages in Mokhotlong district in north-east Lesotho are demanding transparency over planned forced relocations and compensation they say they have not been consulted on. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is scheduled for completion by 2029, a decade later than planned."

"Last week, the Lesotho communities, represented by the Lesotho-based Seinoli Legal Centre and the US NGO Accountability Counsel, filed a complaint with the AfDB's independent recourse mechanism (IRM). They asked the IRM to recommend that the AfDB board suspend the project until their concerns are resolved. The complaint said rock blasting had caused cracks in house walls, while rockfalls and flooding had blocked access to some fields. It alleged dust and debris had polluted water sources."

Eighteen rural communities in Mokhotlong district, Lesotho, filed a complaint with the African Development Bank's independent recourse mechanism alleging construction for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project ruined fields, polluted water sources and damaged homes. About 1,600 residents demand transparency over planned forced relocations and compensation they say lacked consultation. The project, delayed to 2029 and estimated at 54bn rand, will transfer water to the Johannesburg region. Communities report rock blasting caused house cracks, rockfalls and flooding blocked field access, and dust and debris contaminated water. The communities asked for suspension of AfDB funding until concerns are addressed. The Lesotho Highland Development Authority said no household has been or will be relocated without prior consultation and pledged transparency.

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