THE MIKE BOLHUIS FLAMINGO PROJECT: THE KAMFERS DAM CRISES - TOXIC WASTE, MUNICIPAL NEGLEGT AND THE COLLAPSE OF A FLAMINGO SANCTUARY
- isabels39
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 10
PLEASE SHARE THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT
Kamfers Dam, located just north of Kimberley in the Northern Cape, was once a symbol of hope and ecological success.
As one of only four known breeding sites for the Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) in Africa, the dam attracted up to 70,000 flamingos at its peak, including thousands of breeding pairs and hatchlings.
This critical habitat is now on the brink of collapse owing to unchecked environmental abuse,
a deteriorating municipal sewage system, and an ongoing failure to act by local government structures.
ENVIRONMENTAL COLLAPSE THROUGH TOXIC WASTE DISCHARGE:
For years, the Sol Plaatje Municipality has allowed untreated and poorly treated sewage to flow directly into Kamfers Dam.
As of late 2024, reports confirmed that up to 36 million litres of raw or partially treated sewage were being dumped daily into the dam from the Homevale Wastewater Treatment Works.
This has led to a dangerous buildup of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia, nitrates, phosphates, heavy metals, and faecal coliform bacteria in the dam water, far exceeding the legal thresholds set under the National Water Act.
The situation worsened when algal blooms triggered by nutrient overloads caused oxygen depletion, fish die-offs, and the release of toxic hydrogen sulphide gases.
The dam’s once-thriving ecosystem, home to more than 30 species of waterbirds, is now visibly and biologically degraded.
THE EXODUS OF THE FLAMINGOS:
The collapse of Kamfers Dam as a viable habitat has led to the total abandonment of the site by Lesser Flamingos, a severe loss given their globally threatened status.
The artificial breeding island, built in 2006 to support conservation, has become partially submerged owing to rising, polluted water levels, rendering it useless for nesting.
In December 2024, over 130 bird carcasses were recovered from the area, many linked to avian botulism, a deadly condition tied to the sewage-induced anaerobic water conditions.
BirdLife South Africa and other ecological bodies have since warned that this collapse may push the IUCN to reclassify the Lesser Flamingo from "near threatened" to "vulnerable".
DILAPIDATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND MUNICIPAL NEGLIGENCE:
At the heart of this crisis lies years of infrastructural decay and poor governance.
The Homevale treatment plant, built to serve a fraction of Kimberley’s growing population, is severely overburdened.
Maintenance backlogs, mismanagement of public funds, and repeated failures to upgrade or repair critical systems have allowed raw effluent to become the norm.
Despite multiple warnings and citizen appeals, the Sol Plaatje Municipality only faced serious legal pressure in early 2025, when environmental groups and landowners brought the case before the Northern Cape High Court.
In April 2025, the court granted an interdict compelling the municipality to halt all discharges, repair its infrastructure, and submit progress reports; yet widespread public scepticism remains regarding enforcement.
RECENT LEGAL ACTION IN THE NORTHERN CAPE HIGH COURT ON 24 MARCH 2025:
PARTIES INVOLVED:
Applicants: Landowners and concerned stakeholders, including Ekapa Mining
Respondents: Sol Plaatje Local Municipality (responsible for Kimberley’s municipal services) and other relevant agencies (saflii.org+9lawlibrary.org.za+9nc.da.org.za+9).
ORDERS ISSUED:
The court issued it as a mandatory order (interdict), requiring the Sol Plaatje Municipality to:
Submit a progress report, which was due by 30 May 2025:
Stop the discharge of untreated sewage into Kamfers Dam or adjacent farms.
Treated effluent limit: Maximum of 30 megaliters per day, or ensure dam water levels return to 2015 levels.
Undertake immediate repairs to wastewater infrastructure, ensuring full operational capacity and prevention of overflow.
Secure the treatment works and the surrounding area, including the installation of CCTV surveillance.
Provide technical and financial details:
A detailed plan and budget allocation outlining timelines and costs for the required actions.
Updated independent water quality analysis reports.
Ongoing compliance reporting:
Quarterly updates due on the last Friday of every fourth month, to be filed with the court registrar, confirming compliance and progress (lawlibrary.org.za).
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COURT ORDER:
This is a compulsory order, mandating immediate action, not a mere advisory.
The quarterly reporting ensures ongoing judicial oversight and continued compliance scrutiny.
The requirements reflect constitutional and statutory water protection duties under Section 24 and the National Water Act.
Failure to comply may expose the municipality to:
Contempt proceedings.
Fines, civil liabilities, or further injunctions from the court.
NEXT STEPS AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY:
Both the court and civil society watchdogs will monitor the municipality's progress.
Stakeholders, including landowners, environmental organisations (e.g., BirdLife South Africa), and residents, plan to challenge non-compliance through contempt applications or fresh litigation.
The township must publicly communicate updates and restore trust through visible and documented rehabilitation efforts.
SUMMARY:
This robust legal movement marks a turning point in the Kamfers Dam saga.
With mounting court pressure and quarterly oversight, the Sol Plaatje Municipality is legally required to:
Cease sewage discharge,
Upgrade failing infrastructure,
Transparently report progress,
And restore water levels and quality.
This accountability-driven model confirms that sustainable environmental protection depends not just on laws but on active enforcement, backed by judicial oversight and capable public participation.
"Has the Sol Plaatje Municipality complied with the court order issued regarding the pollution of Kamfers Dam,
including the submission of the required progress report by the 30 May 2025 deadline?"
According to Esther van der Westhuizen-Coetzer, a renowned Wetland Specialist at Ekapa Mining, the required progress report was submitted as scheduled. She further confirmed that the most recent water quality testing results appear positive in the long run, indicating encouraging, although limited, progress in the ongoing efforts to restore and protect Kamfers Dam.
Listen to the following interview:
COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES:
The consequences extend beyond wildlife.
Communities living near Kamfers Dam now report chronic respiratory problems, unbearable odours, and the contamination of nearby informal settlements.
Local livelihoods, particularly those in the eco-tourism and birdwatching industries, have been severely impacted.
Additionally, with Section 24 of South Africa’s Constitution guaranteeing citizens the right to a safe and healthy environment, this disaster highlights a constitutional violation of human and environmental rights.
RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY AND ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY:
The Kamfers Dam disaster provides a sobering reminder of the consequences of ignoring environmental responsibilities.
However, with legal enforcement underway and organisations like BirdLife South Africa, Ekapa Minerals, and concerned citizens actively demanding change, there is still an opportunity to reverse the damage.
URGENT ACTIONS NEEDED INCLUDED:
Immediate investment in sewage treatment infrastructure.
Transparent public reporting by the municipality on progress.
Regular water quality testing by independent experts.
Criminal and civil accountability for environmental non-compliance.
Kamfers Dam is more than a wetland - it is a lifeline for thousands of birds, a natural buffer against climate change,
and a reflection of the country's environmental priorities.
The loss of its flamingo population is a local tragedy and national wake-up call.
Addressing this crisis requires more than promises. It demands sustained oversight, real investment, and the political will to prioritise environmental justice. If left unchecked, the Kamfers Dam catastrophe may serve as a warning of what is to come for other critical South African ecosystems already under threat.
Mr. Mike Bolhuis, a renowned advocate for conservation, lends his full support to the multi-stakeholder effort to save Kamfers Dam. This collaboration includes BirdLife South Africa, which continues to raise awareness about the ecological significance of the dam; Ekapa Mining, which has invested in infrastructure and cleanup support; and the Save the Flamingo Association, which has long campaigned for habitat protection and water quality improvements. Local landowners and farmers have also voiced concern, particularly regarding the health risks posed by the untreated effluent. Political oversight has come in part from the Democratic Alliance, which submitted formal complaints to the South African Human Rights Commission. The Northern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) is responsible for holding the Sol Plaatje Municipality accountable for failing infrastructure and raw sewage discharge. Community-based environmental groups and concerned residents continue to document the dam’s decline and demand urgent remedial action. This united front underscores the urgency of protecting Kamfers Dam, for the iconic Lesser Flamingos that depend on it, as well as for the health and dignity of nearby communities.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:
1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:
3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.
4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Follow us on Facebook to view our projects -
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.
POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv
SSS TASK TEAM:
Copyright © 2015- PRESENT | Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services | All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services
PO Box 15075 Lynn East
Pretoria, Gauteng 0039
South Africa
Add us to your address book
THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT WAS INTENDED TO BE SHARED, PLEASE DO SO.
Comments