LHDA – Notice!!!

Notice
DECLARATION OF CUTOFF DATE FOR ELIGIBILITY TO RESETTLEMENT ENTITLEMENTS IN
THE POLIHALI SITE RESERVOIR INUNDATION AREA UNDER PHASE II OF THE LESOTHO
HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT

1. Preamble
   This Notification confirms the declaration by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), of a Cut-Off Date for eligibility to
   resettlement entitlements for households to be relocated within the Polihali Reservoir Inundation Area under Phase II of the Lesotho
   Highlands Water Project. The Cut-Off Date is declared in accordance with the provisions of the LHWP Phase II Compensation Policy (July
   2022).
2. Effective Date and Scope
   The Cut-Off Date to resettlement entitlements will come into effect on the following dates for households that are
   part of the resettlement programme from the following village areas:
3. Cut-Off Date: 21 August 2026 for the following villages:
   a. Ha Jobere (Seate Community Council)
   b. Kheseng and Tsekong (Mphokojoane Community Council)
4. 2. Cut-Off Date: 04 September 2026 for the following villages:
   a. Koung Ha Phohla and Sekokong (Mphokojoane Community Council)
   b. Ha Sekantši (Menoaneng Community Council)
5. Implementation
   The declaration of the Cut-Off Date is based on the registration of all private assets in the Polihali Reservoir Inundation Area, such as fields,
   trees, homestead plots, homestead structures (dwellings, buildings, other structures) and other homestead assets. The asset registration was
   undertaken by LHDA together with asset owners and representatives from the communities and local authorities. Asset registration forms
   were prepared for all affected assets and verified by the owners, local authorities and LHDA. The asset registration included taking photos of
   the assets and gathering supporting documentation such as identification documents and Chief’s ownership confirmation letters. A census
   of all affected owners was also conducted to determine eligibility for compensation and resettlement entitlements.
   The resettlement programme in the Polihali Reservoir Inundation Area will commence shortly, which requires the declaration of this Cut-Off
   Date to determine the final eligibility to resettlement entitlements. The Cut-Off Date takes account of the following:
   a. Structures (dwellings, buildings, other structures) that were recorded and verified during the asset
   registration exercise from 2018 to 2020;
   b. Incomplete structures that were registered and that have subsequently been completed at the time of the relevant Cut-Off Dates
   for the respective villages referred to in Section 2;
   c. Alterations to structures that we recorded and verified after the asset registration exercise from 2018 to 2020; and
   d. New structures that have been constructed at the time of the relevant Cut-Off Dates for the respective villages referred to in
   Section 2.
   Compensation options (e.g., replacement housing constructed by the Project or the owner; continued use by the
   owner and therefore no compensation or replacement) will be agreed with each household.
   Please Note: New structures that are constructed after the Cut-Off Dates for the respective villages referred to in Section 2 will NOT be
   considered in the determination of resettlement entitlements. Similarly, any further construction to partially completed structures after the
   Cut-Off Dates for the respective villages referred to in Section 2 will NOT be considered in the determination of resettlement entitlements.
   Owners with registered fields in the Polihali Reservoir Inundation Area that will be affected by reservoir impoundment may continue using
   their fields until formal notification of acquisition is issued by LHDA and compensation is paid.
6. Further Information
   For further information please contact the Polihali Operations Branch Public Relations Unit by telephone: (+266) 2224 6300 or email:
   mohlotsanep@lhda.org.ls or masihlehol@lhda.org.ls.
   Notice by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority – LHDA

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