Question NW1221 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
12 July 2021 - NW1221
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether she intends to revise the treaty between the Republic and Lesotho with regard to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) social, (b) economic and (c) political underpinnings has she found would define the trans boundary watercourse between the Republic and Lesotho?
Reply:
There are currently no plans for the review and revision of the Treaty between the Republic of South Africa and the Government of Lesotho with regards to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Should a determination be made to revise the Treaty, the process would be guided by Article 18 of the Treaty which provides for a 12-year cycle review of the Treaty.
It should be noted that the Treaty was reviewed during the period 2008 to 2010. The Phase II Agreement between RSA and Lesotho was signed based on this review on 11 August 2011. If the 12-year cycle is therefore to be maintained as per the provisions of Article 18, the next scheduled review would take place in 2023.