Minister Senzo Mchunu donates 40 houses built for workers of LHWP Phase 1

In a celebratory event held on Tuesday, 21 May 2024, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, donated 40 houses, through the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), to beneficiary families living in Kgubetswana Township in Clarens, Free State. 
The houses were originally built by TCTA, as accommodation for out-of-town staff members working on the construction of the Ash River Outfall, during the implementation of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 1 (LHWP-1). 

The organisation started leasing out the houses to residents of Kgubetswana, with the intention of selling them to occupying residents at a discounted price. Chief Executive of TCTA, Percy Sechemane, said that TCTA struggled to sell the houses to the resident occupants over the last 28 years due to affordability issues, as most of the occupants were either elderly or unemployed.

Minister Mchunu, in emphasising government’s commitment to ensuring the upliftment of communities said, “the donation of these houses demonstrates our commitment to better the lives of citizens, wherever we can. Through the TCTA, we will continue to develop initiatives that bring dignity and progress to our communities.” 

The Minister also advised the Executive Mayor of Dihlabeng, Cllr Tseki Tseki, who was in attendance to continue keeping up with the standard of the houses. “This quality and the size of houses is the best, and I would have loved to do more, but that in the hands of the Mayor now, the standard has been set.”

Around 2006, the houses were valued between R65 000 and R85 000, however, a recent valuation in preparation for the transfer of ownership to the beneficiaries indicated that the current value of the houses was between R380 000 and R640 000. “The value of the properties being donated to the 39 families and an NGO servicing persons living with disabilities is R16 720 000,” said Minister Mchunu. The property sizes range from 208m² to 302m².

The TCTA’s Mr Sechemane said that the process of property transfer is currently being finalised at the Deeds Office and that all new owners will be receiving their title deeds in the next six weeks. 

“It is believed that such a massive transfer of property ownership to these families, and the escalation of the property value to multiple times the original value will make a significant contribution in boosting the property values in the area,” said Sechemane.
Mr Sonwabo Morgan Ngubane, a beneficiary and local community leader expressed his profound gratitude of the beneficiaries in being granted the opportunity to own their homes. 

“Today, we made history, we have been working diligently with TCTA, over the years, helping to resolve all the outstanding issues to ensure that the organisation can reach this day,” said Ngubane. 

The hand-over the houses to new owners was preceded by an engagement, led by Minister Mchunu, with TCTA and representatives from Free State municipalities on water and sanitation services in the province. Minister Mchunu implored municipalities in the province to do all it can to overcome any challenges hindering water and sanitation services provision in the province.

During the engagement, TCTA assured municipal representatives that the Lesotho Highlands Tunnel closure from October 2024 to March 2025 for maintenance, will not adversely affect water provision in both Free State and Gauteng provinces. 

“We continue to work with the DWS provincial office in Free State and local municipalities to explain all the processes we are following to ensure that water provision will continue uninterrupted during the six months period of maintenance,” said TCTA Chief Executive, Sechemane.   

TCTA is a state-owned entity under the Department of Water and Sanitation and is responsible for financing and implementing bulk raw water infrastructure in South Africa, including the South African portion of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a multi-phased initiative established by a 1986 treaty between the governments of Lesotho and South Africa. Designed to provide water to South Africa’s Gauteng region and generate hydroelectricity for Lesotho. 

The project involves constructing a series of dams to harness the waters of the Senqu/Orange River in Lesotho’s highlands, for the mutual benefit of both countries. Phase I of the project was completed in 2003 and inaugurated in 2004, with Phase II currently underway and is expected to be completed by 2028. It is envisaged to yield a capacity of 14 cubic metres per second to the Vaal River System. 

For media confirmation, please Contact Mr Luzamo Sandlana on 079 071 9368/ LSandlana@tcta.co.za or Ms Wanda Mkutshulwa on 082 908 2692/ wmkutshulwa@tcta.co.za  

For further information, contact:
Kamogelo Mogotsi
Spokesperson for the Ministry 
Cell: 076 523 0085 

Wisane Mavasa
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation 
Cell: 060 561 8935