Breaking News: MEC closes down school permanently

Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education Panyaza Lesufi has announced at about 11am this morning that the Gauteng Education Department (GED) is closing Roodepoort Primary indefinitely.

This came after angry members of the Davidsonville community once again closed Roodepoort Primary and brought all educational activity to a standstill this morning in the wake of Lesufi’s report back on his findings this past Wednesday.

Lesufi said the auditing firm KMPG found no gross fraud but only minor financial irregularities pertaining to among other things signatory rights of the school’s treasury as well as the fact the school had three bank accounts that were not approved by the MEC. The lawyer firm the Gauteng Education Department hired also found there were no procedural irregularities in the appointment of the principal and her two deputies. He recommended no action being taken against those involved in the financial matters and that the three principals return to work as of this coming Monday.

The MEC has strongly condemned the behaviour of the community members who are disrupting schooling.

“I have extended my hand to this community several times, what is happening now is provocation beyond endurance”, the MEC said. He further said such behaviour is unnecessary and has a negative impact on pupils as they are losing valuable classroom time.

He indicated that the department will approach the South Gauteng High Court to seek an interdict against the community members who are disrupting school. The interdict will prevent them from “perpetrating any acts which are violent and disruptive in nature” against the pupils and or employees of the department.

The MEC urged parents of pupils at Roodepoort Primary to place their children at neighbouring schools such as Princess Primary School, Culembeek Primary, and Laerskool Die Ruiter. The Johannesburg West District Office will be at hand to assist these parents with the placement of these students.

The Department has set up operational centres for parents who want to enquire about placement of learners at alternative schools. These are located at the Davidsonville Community Hall in Roodepoort, Matholeville Community Hall in Roodepoort, as well as Mezodo Technical School in Dobsonville. The centres will be operational from 20 April 2015, the operating hours will be between 9am and 12pm.

“The Department will not tolerate any form of lawlessness and will deploy law enforcement agencies to the school to deal decisively with anyone who seeks to cause anarchy at the school,” said Lesufi.

In the meanwhile the community representative, Ronald Dyers who met with Lesufi on Wednesday was outraged when the Record informed him of the turn of events.

“I am shocked. I am calling a meeting with community leaders immediately, ” said Dyers. He said he will comment at a later stage today as to the way forward and the sentiments of the community on the announcement.

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