Lesotho Highlands Water Project contractor suspended for polluting rivers. 1,400 workers sent home as work on 38km tunnel stalls.
Kopano Ke Matla Joint Venture, responsible for building a 38-km tunnel connecting two dams in the Lesotho highlands, has had to suspend operations. Inspections revealed that the company’s wastewater treatment plants are non-compliant.
Oily and acidic wastewater has been dumped into rivers relied on by rural communities, and into the Katse reservoir which provides drinking water to South Africa. The company has until 26 May to resolve the issues. Meanwhile, 1,400 workers have been sent home.
