MEC addresses concerns about school
MAYIBUYE – Completion of the Mayibuye Primary School project remains a priority and the target is to have it ready for the new schooling year, said Tasneem Motara.
Gauteng Infrastructure and Development MEC Tasneem Motara has responded to concerns about the Mayibuye Primary School project.
In September, the chairperson of the portfolio on infrastructure development, Mpho Modise released a statement raising concerns about the quality of the school, which has cost the department R82 million. The statement alleged that the school had been built on a wetland.
However, the Gauteng Provincial Government released a statement shortly after to say that the school was not built on a wetland but rather a leaking pipe. “Contrary to claims that there is a wetland, there is actually a sewer line that was discovered when the engineers conducted a wetland investigation.
“This required the team to dig seven pits, which is when an old sewer line was discovered, which was found to have been leaking for years.”
Development and Infrastructure MEC Tasneem Motara conducted a site visit to the school on 1 October, along with the Johannesburg MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Mpho Moerane.
Visitors were given a warm welcome by the Ward 111 councillor Lesiba Lamola, who added that he was happy now that the issue of the school being built on a wetland was cleared. “We are now looking forward to the opening of the school next year.”
Motara, who gave a briefing on the progress of the school, said that the visit was necessary following a series of events in the recent months surrounding the construction of the school.
“The greatest bone of contention is the claim being made that the school had been built on a wetland. This, we have emphatically refuted and clarified through a media statement and our appearance before the portfolio committee.”
Motara explained that in order to resolve the issue of the leaking sewer line following a wetland investigation by the engineers, they were advised to reroute it as a permanent solution. This too, requires additional funds.
Moerane said, “As a City we also want the school to open in January so that the kids can be moved from the old school. Joburg Water will monitor the sewer once the school is complete.”
Motara said that the facility will accommodate 1 200 learners and is classified as a Mega School and will eventually become a Smart School upon completion. “Completion of the project remains a priority and our target is to have it ready for the new schooling year.”
Details: For more information, please contact the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure and Development on 011 938 9376.
