The promise of a new school was made by Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi during his social imbizo in Diepsloot in July last year.
The department’s spokesperson, Oupa Bodibe, told Fourways Review that they were busy looking for a contractor to build the school after firing the previous one for poor service delivery.
“We are in the process of appointing a new contractor to build the school. We want this school to be our flagship in Diepsloot,” said Bodibe.
His comments follow after Diepsloot parents had complained bitterly at the beginning of the year that the department had failed them. The construction of the school in Ext 3 is still at the foundation level, much to the disappointment of parents who expected to enroll their children at the school this year.
Apparently, local construction companies were demanding a 10 percent slice of the tender of the appointed contractor. This demand is in line with government’s tender policy which compels service providers to source all manual labour requirements from locals.
“What delayed us was the unhappiness of the community members over sub-contract work, who chased [away] workers on site,” he said.
Bodibe claimed that Lesufi had managed to diffuse the tension on site and convinced the community not to disturb the construction of the school, maintaining that the process of appointing a new constructor was the only obstacle.
But Democratic Alliance councillor in the area Refilwe Mathebula accused Lesufi of electioneering with children’s education.
Mathebula said Diepsloot residents were counting on the new school being opened this year and many had to enroll their children at other schools at the last minute.
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