In the heart of Lesotho’s Highlands, the tranquil Katse Dam has become a hotbed of controversy. Local fishers claim they are being beaten, their fish confiscated, and their livelihoods threatened by authorities policing the area on behalf of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA).
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project
The dam is part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a massive infrastructure development that has been in operation since 1994. The project, which aims to supply water to South Africa, has generated M3.5-billion (R3.5-billion) in royalties annually for Lesotho. However, the benefits of this project have not trickled down to the local communities, who have been struggling to survive.
The Struggle for Sustainable Fishing
Local fishers, who have traditionally caught yellow fish and trout to sell to passersby, say they are battling to survive. The LHDA has imposed restrictive fishing laws, which prohibit commercial fishing, impose daily catch limits, and regulate fishing tools. While these regulations were intended to ensure sustainable fishing, they have had the opposite effect, pushing villagers into illegal fishing or forcing them to give up their livelihoods.
- Restrictive fishing laws have been imposed, limiting the number of fish that can be caught per day.
- The laws also regulate fishing tools, such as nets, to prevent overfishing.
- However, some villagers have begun using nets to catch large quantities of fish, threatening the fish population.
A Lack of Permits and Enforcement
Obtaining permits to fish is costly and difficult, the local fishers say. A return trip from Malibamatšo to Katse at the LHDA offices for a permit costs M120, while a two-week license costs M100, and a month’s license costs M200. This has pushed villagers into illegal fishing, or forced them to give up fishing altogether.
| Permit Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Return trip to LHDA offices | M120 |
| Two-week license | M100 |
| Month’s license | M200 |
Violence and Confiscation
Villagers have accused LHDA employees and police of confiscating their fish, only to keep it for themselves. Confiscations reportedly spike before major weekends and holidays, as the police and LHDA employees go home. This has led to violence, with some villagers fighting over fish heads and bones discarded by the commercial fish farming company, SanLei Premium Trout.
- Villagers have accused LHDA employees and police of confiscating their fish.
- Confiscations spike before major weekends and holidays, leading to violence.
- Some villagers have been injured in fights over fish heads and bones.
A Scramble for Fish Bones
The struggle for access to fish has driven villagers to fight over fish bones and fish heads discarded by SanLei Premium Trout. These remnants have become a vital protein source for many. However, the handouts from SanLei have led to violence, with some villagers stabbing each other over the remaining fish.
“It’s never enough for everyone,”
Malieketso Ramokoatsi, a village committee member, said, “There’s never enough for everyone. People grab as much as they can without considering others who are more vulnerable.”
“The LHDA is a business,”
SanLei’s compliance officer, Relebohile Ntoi, said, “One of our drivers distributing fish heads was even threatened with a gun when trying to organize orderly distribution of fish heads and bones at Khohlo-Ntšo … There were fights everyday with some having not got anything while others filled over ten buckets.”
A Call for Reform
Villagers are calling for reform, arguing that foreign businesses benefit from their waters while they are left with nothing. They want the government to support community-run fish projects to benefit them directly.
“Foreign businesses benefit from our waters, while we are left with nothing,”
Litaba Khanare, a villager, said, “If our government cared, it would support community-run fish projects to benefit us directly.”
A Lack of Transparency
The LHDA has been accused of lacking transparency in its dealings with local communities. The company that farms the fish in the dam, SanLei Premium Trout, has been accused of distributing fish heads without adequate oversight, leading to violence.
“We have to make a profit,”
Dewald Fourie, the CEO of SanLei Premium Trout, said, “We have to make a profit. Expecting us to give out whole fish would be like asking a hotel owner to feed the community for free on certain days.”
“The dam has created a favourable environment for fish to multiply,”
Monongoaha said, “The dam has created a favourable environment for fish to multiply. If there is any restriction on traditional fishing, it is not related to the companies. In fact, the dam has created a favourable environment for fish to multiply.”
A Call for Action
The situation in Katse Dam is a call for action, highlighting the need for reform and greater transparency in the management of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Villagers are calling for the government to support community-run fish projects, while also ensuring that the rights of local communities are protected.
“We need to find a way to make fishing sustainable,”
Molise Mare, a community councillor from Likheleng village, said, “We need to find a way to make fishing sustainable. This can be done by supporting community-run fish projects and ensuring that the rights of local communities are protected.”
“We will not leave our home,”
Pheello Seafo of Likheleng said, “I will not leave my home or resort to stealing while my village has these resources. I will die fishing in this dam.”
A New Era of Fishing
The situation in Katse Dam is a call for a new era of fishing, one that balances the needs of local communities with the needs of the environment and the economy. This requires a fundamental shift in the way that fishing is managed, with a focus on sustainability and community involvement.
“We need to work together,”
Monongoaha said, “We need to work together to find a solution to this problem. The LHDA, the government, and the local communities must work together to find a way to make fishing sustainable.”
A New Path Forward
The path forward for Katse Dam is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the situation must be addressed. The local communities must be involved in the decision-making process, and the rights of local communities must be protected. A new era of fishing is needed, one that balances the needs of all stakeholders.
