A new investigation exposes systemic failings in Lesotho’s flagship water infrastructure project, including delayed compensation, substandard housing and the exclusion of villagers from decisions affecting their livelihoods.
The Office of the Ombudsman has issued a scathing report highlighting serious failures in the management of the Polihali Phase II project in Mokhotlong, citing systemic delays in compensation and the exclusion of affected communities from key decision-making processes.
The Ombudsman detailed the findings of an investigation triggered by growing grievances from local residents, with a particular focus on the villages of Ha Tlhakola, Masakong and Tsekong, where communities claim their lives have been upended by a relocation process that has consistently prioritised project timelines over human welfare.
According to the investigation, residents were largely sidelined during critical stages of planning. Major decisions concerning their land and livelihoods were reportedly made long before any meaningful consultation took place, leaving affected families as mere spectators to their own displacement.
The Ombudsman identified four major areas of concern that have eroded trust between project managers and the communities.
Communities reported a profound lack of inclusivity, with communication from project authorities often being one-sided and failing to incorporate local input into the project’s design.
Many families remain trapped in financial uncertainty due to lengthy delays in the disbursement of compensation packages, particularly those who lost productive agricultural land and now struggle to sustain their livelihoods.
The Phase II project, a flagship infrastructure initiative crucial for the country’s water and energy security, is currently failing its most vulnerable stakeholders.
Perhaps the most visible shortcoming is the quality of relocation housing. Some residents have complained that the new structures provided are of a significantly lower standard than their original homes, casting doubt on the project’s initial promises of betterment for those displaced.
The report further highlights a pattern of administrative silence, noting that complaints lodged by affected residents through official channels have frequently been met with prolonged delays or no response at all, deepening the sense of marginalisation.
The Ombudsman warned that the lack of accountability and the apparent decline in living standards for displaced communities risk triggering further social unrest if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
The Office is expected to demand a clear timeline from project managers to address the housing deficiencies and fast-track the overdue compensation payments. For the residents of Mokhotlong, the report represents a long-awaited opportunity to move from being ignored to becoming genuine partners in the development process.
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