THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO COMBINED SECOND TO EIGHTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS AND INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA The objective of the treaty was to transfer water from the mountains of Lesotho to the Gauteng industrial area. 254. Article 4(1) of the Treaty provides that the purpose of the project shall be to enhance the use of the water of the Senqu /Orange River by storing, regulating, diverting and controlling the flow of the Senqu/Orange River and its effluents in order to effect the delivery of specified quantities of water to the Designated Outlet Point in the Republic of South Africa and by utilizing such delivery system to generate hydro-electric power in the Kingdom of Lesotho. 255. The project was effected in two phases: phase 1A being construction of Katse and Mohale dams completed in 1996 and 2003 respectively. Phase Phase 1B involved the construction of the Mohale dams, the diversion tunnel to the Katse dam. Both phases also involved the construction of infrastructure such as tarred roads, feeder roads, bridges, camps, health facilities as well as environmental and social programmes. Phase 2, is construction of Polihali Dam. It began in 2016 and is expected to be completed in 2025. 256. Following this agreement and construction of the aforesaid dams, Lesotho’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose from 3 percent to 5.5 percent and an estimated 16 000 jobs were created. Furthermore, Lesotho is getting M53,000 Million Maloti per year in royalties from the sale of the water to the Republic of South Africa. 257. Other benefits which Lesotho, in particular the communities around the Katse and Mohale dams as well as Ha Lejone power station have gained from the project include construction of road networks throughout the mountains of Lesotho, construction of about 11 bridges, telecommunications systems network, schools, community halls and upgrading of clinics and development of two large scale trout farms (Katse fish farms and Highlands Trout). Compensation for affected communities 95