LHDA Clarifies Issues Pertaining to Resettlement
Mr. Mokaotsi Lakabane and Water Supply in Nazareth
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) wishes to make a clarification on resettlement issues related to Mr. Mokoatsi Lakabane of Ha Seotsa, Phase 1B of Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and the issue of water supply in Nazareth, which have been making media headlines recently.
LHWP has a communication strategy in place and conducts regular briefing sessions for media to update them of developments on the project. However, there are issues which linger in the media and get distributed worldwide through the internet, which are not reported on accurately. Two specific issues have lingered and captured media attention for some time now. These are issues concerning the resettlement of Mr. Mokoatsi Lakabane from Ha Seotsa and the status of water supply at Nazareth, where Stage 1 and Stage 2 households from Phase 1B have been resettled.
The status of affairs on these two is as outlined:
Mr. Mokoatsi Lakabane
‘Mamoliehi Lakabane (female) was a head of household who owned property at Ha Seotsa. When she died (15th January, 2000), the family put forward the heir of all her assets (residential properties, arable land, gardenland, trees etc) as Molefe Lakabane, who was her eldest son. This was done according to traditional customs and guidelines on bequeathing assets.
Molefe Lakabane was duly registered by LHDA as owner and head of household for these properties, and he made a choice to resettle in Thaba-Bosiu (where he is already resettled). As household head, all entitlements for resettlement per the Compensation Policy go to his household. That is the properties as well as disturbance allowance and his household would also be entitled to minimum threshold allowance (if they fall within the category). Mokoatsi Lakabane and ‘Makuleile Lakabane (husband and wife) later appeared on the scene claiming ownership of one of the properties. Not only did they claim property, but Mokoatsi also wanted to be recognised as head of household with all entitlements that go with such a status. But, Mokoatsi could not produce any documentation to substantiate this claim. LHDA wrote to Mokoatsi Lakabane on 12th March, 2002 indicating to him that without any documentary proof of his claim, LHDA could not recognise and deal with his claim. The burden of proof remained with Mokoatsi.
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