Democratic Alliance (DA)
By Karabo Marifi
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched a petition to hold the Kopanong Local Municipality (KLM) accountable for its continued failure to repair the wall of the Koshuisdam in Philippolis, which has remained damaged for nearly 15 years since collapsing around January 2011. The move comes as residents face ongoing water shortages and wastage, worsened by the municipality’s financial struggles and neglect of critical infrastructure.
A Vital Resource Left in Ruins
The Koshuisdam, situated on municipal land north of Philippolis along the R717, has been a cornerstone of the town’s water supply for decades. However, heavy rains in January 2011 caused the dam wall to break in four places, eroding at least 40 meters of its structure. Despite the damage occurring nearly 15 years ago, the Kopanong Local Municipality has yet to repair the wall, leaving the dam unable to fulfil its potential as a reliable water source.
Estelle Noordman, DA Councillor for Kopanong Municipality, voiced her frustration: “The Koshuisdam is located on municipal land north of the town on the R717. The dam wall broke around 2011 after heavy rains in the district. A 2011 media article notes that the dam wall broke in four places and that at least 40m was eroded.” She stressed that the dam, if properly maintained, could ease the water struggles of greater Philippolis by providing irrigation water and supporting boreholes in the area.
Water Wastage Amid a Crisis
The urgency of the situation became undeniable in March 2025, when the Philippolis district received over 250 millimetres of rainfall. With the dam wall still in disrepair, thousands of valuable litres of water were lost, a devastating blow to a region already battling severe water delivery challenges. Noordman noted, “The municipal dam, if managed effectively, can assist in alleviating the water pressures endured by residents of greater Philippolis by supplying irrigation water to the town and also serving as a constant natural source for boreholes in and around Philippolis.”
Residents are feeling the impact daily. In areas like Bergmanshoogte, water is available only every second day, while Phoding Tse Rolo gets just 2-3 hours of supply. High-lying parts of Philippolis are worst off, with several homes left without water due to low pressure. “In a town and municipality that face serious water delivery issues, water wastage cannot be condoned,” Noordman added.
A Municipality Drowning in Debt
The root of the problem lies in Kopanong’s financial troubles. The municipality owes more than R800 million to Vaal Central Water, its bulk water supplier, leading to strict 30% water restrictions for residents. This debt has crippled service delivery, leaving the municipality unable to fund essential repairs like those needed at the Koshuisdam.
This isn’t the first time Kopanong has faced such woes. Over the years, its debt to water boards has spiralled out of control. By 2020, the municipality owed nearly R400 million to Bloemwater, another water supplier, leaving towns without water during a national crisis. Despite promises from local leaders to address the issue, the debt has only grown, further straining resources and infrastructure.
The DA’s Fight for Action
Fed up with the municipality’s inaction, the DA has taken a stand. “The Democratic Alliance (DA) will launch a petition to hold the Kopanong Local Municipality (KLM) accountable for its continued failure to repair the wall of the Koshuisdam located in Philippolis,” Noordman announced. The petition demands that KLM repair the dam wall and comply with dam safety legislation, a legal requirement the municipality has ignored for years.
The DA has issued a clear ultimatum: “We demand intervention by KLM to repair the dam wall and ensure compliance with dam safety legislation. If the matter remains unattended, the DA will escalate the matter to the Free State MEC of CoGTA.” This threat to involve the Free State MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) signals the party’s determination to force change.
The petition builds on years of advocacy by the DA, which has long criticised Kopanong’s leadership for neglecting its duties. In the past, the party has called for stronger oversight of the municipality, pointing to its failure to deliver basic services like water as evidence of deeper governance issues.
A Broader Struggle for Water Security
The Koshuisdam crisis is just one piece of a larger puzzle in the Free State, where many municipalities grapple with crumbling infrastructure and financial mismanagement. For Philippolis residents, the unrepaired dam wall is a symbol of years of broken promises. Local farmers, who rely on irrigation, and households, desperate for consistent water, are paying the price for the municipality’s delays.
Experts have warned that without urgent repairs, the dam’s condition could worsen, posing safety risks and further undermining water security. The recent heavy rains, while a blessing in some ways, have exposed the municipality’s inability to manage its resources effectively.
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