DA and EFF demand accountability and formal investigation for R82m school project maladministration

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng are demanding accountability and a formal investigation into the construction of the R82m Mayibuye Primary School in Rabie Ridge.

This follows the recent report by the Public Protector regarding allegations that officials from the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) improperly built the school on an old sewer line, without conducting a wetland study, and spent over R82m on an incomplete project.

The investigation stems from a complaint lodged by Mmusi Maimane on September 16, 2020.

The multi-million-rand state-of-the-art school was opened in February this year by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Education, Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation MEC Matome Chilaone, despite not being completed.

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DA Gauteng’s Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development, Alan Fuchs, said in a statement released on July 4, that the Gauteng government halted the R82m Mayibuye School construction inquiry to shield officials.

Fuchs mentioned that the government reversed its decision to conduct a formal inquiry into the substandard work at the school.

“This means that officials who are responsible for squandering taxpayers’ money will not be held to account,” said Fuchs.

“This is despite receiving approval from the Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) for the inquiry to be held. This is a clear indication that the government is undermining the institution that has a mandate to protect the interests of Gauteng residents.”

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The Public Protector’s report revealed instances of maladministration, undue delays, and irregularities during the school’s construction.

It also highlighted violations of procurement procedures during the contract award to Basic Blue/NEBAVEST for construction.

“Poor project management, planning, and coordination between the Education and Infrastructure departments led to the school being built over a sewer line, with adjacent properties encroaching on the site. Resolving these issues caused delays and additional costs, contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA),” added Fuchs.

The report noted that access to the site was granted 13 months after the contractor’s appointment, resulting in additional costs exceeding R10m.

The Public Protector has instructed the GDID to provide her office, within 60 days from the date of receipt of the report, with a project plan indicating how and when the completion of the remaining external civil works will be finalised.

Additionally, the report was forwarded to the Auditor General of South Africa for further action.

“GDID is known for not completing infrastructure projects on time and within budget. This is one of many projects that cost the taxpayers of Gauteng a premium because of wastage and inefficiency,” added Fuchs.

The DA reiterates its insistence that GDID appoints only competent officials.

The EFF also issued a statement on July 3 demanding accountability for the maladministration, delays, and irregularities related to the school’s construction.

“The project aimed to accommodate over 2000 learners from the Mayibuye Informal Settlement with a budget of R82m,” read the EFF statement.

“Approved in August 2015, the project spanned eight years due to administrative and technical incompetency’s by the GDID and GDE, under former MECs Nandi Mayathula-Khoza and Panyaza Lesufi, respectively.

“After the contract award, it took the contractor over a year to obtain site permission, resulting in R10m in compensation events. Shortly after contract award, the GDE, led by Panyaza Lesufi, expanded the project scope to include smart school requirements, further inflating costs.”

The EFF concluded that while construction was completed in 2017, the school remained unused due to a hazardous wetland, only opening in February of this year.

The GDE spokesperson, Steve Mabona said the GDE welcomes the Mayibuye Formal Report of the Public Protector, dated June 28.

He said this report, issued under Section 182(1)(b) of the Constitution and Section 8(1) of the Public Protector Act, scrutinises whether the GDID and GDE adhered to legal prescripts and procedures during the construction of Mayibuye Primary School and whether their actions constituted maladministration and undue delay.

“The GDE acknowledges the findings of this report and is committed to implementing the recommended remedial actions,” said Mabona.

“Such implementation includes ensuring continuous compliance and strict monitoring mechanisms of the Project Plan, which was already provided to the Public Protector on June 14, to ensure that the school is fully operational in line with the efficient and economic management of the working capital, in terms of Section 38(1)(c)(iii) of the PFMA.”

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