…as treaty talks with SA loom
Mohloai Mpesi
PRIME Minister Sam Matekane has recalled Masupha Sole, the former principal advisor on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), to assist the government with the review and revision of the LHWP Treaty.
A highly placed source who spoke to the Sunday Express on condition of anonymity confirmed that Mr Sole has reported back for duty, despite his contract having expired on 31 August 2026.
However, the Minister of Natural Resources, Mohlomi Moleko, denied knowledge of the development, saying that, to his understanding, Mr Sole’s contract had expired.
The source said Mr Sole had been recalled to assist the government with matters relating to the review and revision of the LHWP Treaty.
“The Prime Minister said although his contract has expired and the relevant minister has no interest in working with him, he still needs his services regarding the pending review and revision of the treaty, among other things,” the source said.
The source said Mr Matekane had so far given Mr Sole only a verbal directive, with the former advisor awaiting an appointment letter outlining his new role.
“It was a verbal directive. A draft letter appointing him and explaining his role has already been written,” the source said.
The source added that Mr Sole had already started working on the assignment.
“Since the treaty issue is topical, Mr Sole has already started working on certain aspects so that when Mr Matekane returns from an official trip, he can show him and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Limpho Tau, the progress made.
“It is not about being cheeky or not accepting the situation, but about helping the nation and the Prime Minister on the treaty issue,” the source said.
Treaty review
The source said both Lesotho and South Africa had fallen behind in implementing Article 18 of the treaty, which provides for its review and revision every 12 years. Signed in 1986, the treaty marks its 40th anniversary this year.
According to the source, Mr Matekane wrote to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, following advice from Mr Sole, seeking to initiate the long-overdue review. Mr Ramaphosa reportedly agreed that the process should proceed.
“According to Article 18 of the treaty, it should be reviewed every 12 years or as and when the parties agree. We have spent 40 years and it has not happened, other than a few issues that include governance and tax.
“It means we have not invoked the article, so, through his (Mr Sole’s) advice, the Prime Minister wrote to Mr Ramaphosa, and Mr Ramaphosa agreed that the assignment should continue,” the source said.
The treaty review is expected to address several issues, including the royalties Lesotho receives for supplying water to South Africa. The monthly royalties were last recalculated on 13 March 2024, increasing from M130 million to M298 million.
In her February 2025 budget speech for the 2025/26 financial year, Finance and Development Planning Minister Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane also announced plans to negotiate a better deal for Lesotho, with greater emphasis on sustainability and improving the livelihoods of Basotho living in communities affected by the project.
Moleko’s response
Speaking to the Sunday Express on Thursday, Mr Moleko dismissed the claims, insisting that Mr Sole’s contract had ended and that the ministry was processing his terminal benefits.
“There is nothing like that. Mr Sole’s contract has ended. We are preparing his packages, such as terminal benefits and others. I don’t know about him coming back. Even last week he was here and we were discussing his leave. It was a normal process and a handover to the Principal Secretary.
“I don’t know anything until the Prime Minister tells me that things have changed,” he said.
Mr Moleko had previously told the Sunday Express’s sister paper, the Lesotho Times, that Mr Sole’s contract would not be renewed. He said the ministry intended to replace the single-advisor arrangement with a stronger team of advisors ahead of the treaty review negotiations.
He said the ministry wanted the review to deliver tangible benefits to communities living around the Highlands Water Project.
Contacted for comment, Mr Sole declined to comment on the matter, saying Mr Matekane’s office was better placed to talk about the issue.
Menawhile, Prime Minister’s Press Attache, Thapelo Mabote’s mobile phone rang unanswered.
Background
The LHWP is a bi-national scheme between Lesotho and South Africa, established under a treaty signed in October 1986. South Africa receives water transferred from the Lesotho highlands to supplement supplies to Gauteng, while Lesotho earns royalties and generates hydropower for domestic use.
The Lesotho Highlands Water Commission (LHWC), comprising delegates from both countries, monitors the project and oversees the work of its implementing agencies: the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) on the Lesotho side and the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) in South Africa.
Phase I of the project, comprising the Katse and Mohale dams and the ’Muela hydropower station, was completed in 2003.
Phase II, centred on the 165-metre Polihali Dam and a 38-kilometre transfer tunnel linking it to the Katse Reservoir, was agreed under a bilateral agreement signed in 2011. The project is currently under construction in Mokhotlong.
Construction of the Polihali Dam was about 50 percent complete by July 2026, with completion expected in 2029.
The project has been plagued by delays and cost increases, with its long-term cost projection rising from about M8 billion in a 2008 feasibility study to M53 billion in 2023.