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MEC Lesufi Must Prioritise Basic School Infrastructure

Willow Crescent Secondary School

The DA visited the Willow Crescent Secondary School in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, to assess infrastructure conditions as classrooms were burnt down 5 years ago.

Since the fire in the 2011, three classroom have not been repaired. Conditions at the school are appalling and not conducive to teaching or learning.

The school structures are in violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and has been served with an order to comply with Environmental Health Standards.

Deteriorating Infrastructure

The schools lights don’t function, classrooms have no doors, toilets are not meeting norms and standards and ceilings are falling apart.

Despite the crumbling infrastructure, Willow Crescent has managed a Matric pass rate of 73% in the 2015 academic year.

The DA has submitted questions to the MEC for oral reply in the Legislature to establish whether there are any plans to fix the deteriorating infrastructure.

The DA will propose alternative solutions to prioritise school infrastructure in this year’s budget debate vote.

Conducive learning and teaching environments are non-negotiable. Instead of spending R90 million in building one school, the MEC must focus on getting the basics right in all schools in the province.

 

Media enquiries:

Khume Ramulifho MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education

082 398 7375

[Image source]

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Merafong Water Crisis Now Affecting Emergency Services

Dysfunctional Municipal Services

Dysfunctional municipal services in Merafong have led to the complete destruction of a family home in Carletonville as emergency service workers could not carry out their relief work when the home caught alight.

Upon arrival emergency services could not locate the nearest hydrant as there were no markings on the street lights – which were out of order.

When one was located, the water pressure was too low for fire fighters to douse the flames.

As a result, the home was completely gutted and the family lost all their possessions.

Deteriorating Infrastructure

This incident has highlighted the precarious situation in which Merafong finds itself. Should there be a large scale fire, the municipality will simply not have the means to protect the lives of residents.

More than 52% of water in Merafong is lost every month due to ageing and deteriorating infrastructure, despite the local municipality insisting that it has a water loss management plan.

The DA has, on numerous occasions called on Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, for a provincial intervention in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution.

Time and time again our requests have been ignored while residents of Merafong are left in desperate need of assistance.

The DA has assisted the family by providing blankets, food and water, however, if the situation in Merafong is not addressed urgently, this could become the norm.

(Pictures available on request)

 

Media Enquiries:

Ina Cilliers MPL
DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Merafong
060 556 4344