The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, in conjunction with the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, shut down the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, water transfer and delivery tunnel, as well as associated systems during the months of October and November 2019. The delivery tunnel in Lesotho supplies water to the Vaal River System, which provides water to Rand Water, Sasol, Eskom and a large number of smaller users. It is expected the flow of water to the Vaal Dam will take between 10 to 15 days. The Vaal Dam’s water level is currently 40,2%.

He further says the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality in Phuthaditjhaba’s Fika-Patso Dam increased its water level to 40% after the recent rain. Residents of this municipality are battling with drought which results to constant water cuts since 2014. Ratau says yesterday, 4 December 2019 , the DWS and premier of the Free State, Sisi Ntombela, launched borehole drilling projects as a means to fight the drought in Phuthaditjhaba.

Meanwhile, the Minister of DWS, Lindiwe Sisulu, has urged the residents of South Africa to use water sparingly as South Africa is has a higher than average level of water consumption compared to the world.

OFM News/Marvin Ntsane