Government has announced plans to reconstruct the Letša la Letsie Dam wall in the Drakensberg mountains in Quthing at a cost of M17 million, in a bid to secure water supply and protect communities that have lived under threat from the aging structure for years.
The Minister of Environment and Forestry, Thabo Mofosi, this week noted that the dam wall, which was built in 1968, has been abandoned and severely damaged by various disasters over the decades.
According to the Mofosi, the dam can no longer hold enough water and its current condition poses a direct risk to the well-being of nearby communities.
Speaking during a press briefing, Mofosi said the Letša la Letsie Dam wall has deteriorated to a point where it is no longer fit for purpose.
“Letša la Letsie Dam wall has been abandoned ever since it was built in 1968, and now it cannot hold enough water passing by it,” Mofosi said.
He stated that the wall has been affected by different kinds of disasters and now puts the community’s well-being in danger.
The dam has historically served surrounding villages for livestock watering, small-scale irrigation, and as a water reserve during dry periods.
Mofosi indicated that the ministry will appoint contractors to carry out the full reconstruction of the dam wall adding that local labour will be prioritised. He did not mention the date of commencement.
The works will include rebuilding and strengthening the wall, improving spillways, and upgrading water management systems to ensure the dam can safely store water again.
By using local contractors and hiring Basotho workers, the dam reconstruction is expected to create both skilled and semi-skilled jobs.
Government hopes Letša la Letsie Dam will once again serve as a reliable water source for generations to come.
