Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Estelle Noordman and Jafta Mokoena MPL. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Kopanong launched a petition signed by over 500 Philippolis residents requesting the repair of the Koshuisdam, specifically the dam wall.
The Koshuisdam wall has remained broken for nearly 15 years since it collapsed in 2011.
The broken dam wall has led to a massive loss of valuable water; recently, thousands of litres went to waste after 250mm of rainfall in March 2025. If repaired, the Koshuisdam could help ease the water crisis in Philippolis by supplying irrigation and boosting the local borehole’s water supply and longevity.
Once repaired, the dam could also attract tourists to the town and serve as a welcome recreational facility for both residents and visitors.
The community calls for KLM to prioritise the Koshuisdam wall repairs and ensure full compliance with dam safety regulations.
Without action, the community will continue to lose vital water and miss out on the economic and social benefits a functioning dam could provide.