Today we are at Ha Maphonkoane. We have been discussing the communities’ rights to Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). They have a right to participate and to be consulted in all processes and decisions related to the Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer Scheme.
They have expressed a sense of shock and anxiety at the thought of losing their lands and livelihoods as a result of this project. They are concerned that no official communication has come from the project official. Only 2 villages thus far have reported having visits from L-BWT officials of the 21 villages consulted by Seinoli.