The Government of Lesotho intends to remove illegal buildings and structures built on road reserves.
This is part of over M1.86 billion infrastructure program for 2026/27 financial year.
Roads Directorate Director General, Mr. Teboho Mokhoane, said officials will survey 640 kilometres of urban roads to find encroached areas.
According to him, the work will focus on Teyateyaneng Central Business District, Semonkong town and Maputsoe.
“Clearance operations will happen in those areas,” he said.
Mr. Mokhoane explained that this is necessary to protect public roads, improve safety, and make space for future road expansion and development projects.
He noted that for many years, illegal occupation of road reserves has been a big problem, adding that it makes it hard to maintain roads, upgrade them, or manage traffic.
“When people build shops, houses or fences on road reserves, engineers cannot do their work properly,” he added.
Mr. Mokhoane said encroachment is not the only problem. He mentioned that climate change is now one of the biggest threats to Lesotho’s roads.
He said rainfall has become heavier and more dangerous than before, highlighting that it causes severe flooding that damages roads, drainage systems and bridges every year.
He maintained that because of this, engineers have to change how they design roads. They now plan to build bigger culverts and stronger drainage that can handle more stormwater.
“The rains we are experiencing today are not the same as those experienced in the past,” Mr. Mokhoane said.
He also expressed concern about vandalism of road signs and other traffic equipment. “This increases repair costs and puts drivers and pedestrians at risk,” he stated.
Mr. Mokhoane pointed out that road reserve clearance is part of a wider transport program. It includes major roads rehabilitation, redesign of 13 major intersections in Maseru, construction of new bridges like Tebellong Bridge, and fixing of traffic lights and streetlights in towns such as Maputsoe, Hlotse and Quthing.
He added that protecting road corridors, fighting climate damage, and stopping vandalism are all important if Lesotho wants to reach its long-term transport goals.
The job is no longer just building roads, it is building roads that can survive heavy rains and floods, while also protecting the roads we already have.
Source: Lesotho News Agency [LENA]
