Dayspring: Councillor sets the record straight
Councillor unfortunate victim of emotional community members' attacks.
DA Councillor for Ward 85, Carl Mann has been bearing the brunt of outraged community members for his alleged role in the Dayspring Study Centre debacle.
According to Mann his phone has been ringing off the hook since the latest story regarding the centre broke on Tuesday. Parents and other community members sympathetic to the centre are blaming him for Dayspring Study Centre’s woes. But the councillor rightfully says the attacks are misguided and residents are missing the point.
Dayspring is illegal – GDE
“As a councillor my role is only that of the middleman representing the community. If a community member comes to me with a complaint it is my job to pass on the complaint to the relevant department in the council. Thereafter it is out of my hands. I have no power to close the school. I support what Sue Parry is doing and staunchly support alternative education but due processes have to be followed,” said Mann.
“Parry has not followed procedure and continues to operate an institute of learning without the consent of either the council or the Gauteng Education Department. Council never would agree to this in the first place because of the positioning of the property; however, should they give consent the maximum number of pupils allowed would be 19. The number of pupils Parry currently accommodates at the centre exceeds this number by far,” Mann explained.
“The complaints were just the tip of the iceberg. In terms of the law she is operating illegally,” Mann insisted.
“However, if she is unable to carry on with the centre on the property in question, I will help her to the best of my ability to find another suitable property in the area as well as to follow the correct process. I also will appeal to the residents and council to be patient until she moves to a new property to prevent interfering with the pupils’ education.
“I am sure if a school or church went up next to your house you would want me to forward your complaint as well. Please understand I am just the middleman and not the person trying to shut down Dayspring Study Centre,” concluded Mann.
Mann also stated he is more than willing to meet with Parry and the parents. They are welcome to contact him on 072 616 2025.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 414 6709.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
