Brackenham community halts school hall construction

CONSTRUCTION on a multi-purpose hall at Richards Bay Secondary School was brought to a drastic halt last week when community group, Brackenham Community Civic Watch (BCCW) held a public meeting and questioned the processes followed to erect the structure.

Earlier this year, the community raised questions about the hall, which is being built by a local businessman on the school premises, and it was subsequently stopped.

Chairperson Ray Govender convened a meeting with community members, school management and staff and parents last week, probing if all the legal processes were followed to build the facility.

While he did take into consideration that the school’s principal and deputy principal have been placed on suspension pending an investigation into different matters, he appealled for the project to be put on a complete halt.

Govender said no consultation with the surrounding neighbours or interested and affected stakeholders was conducted and there were no legal contracts or documents in place before the construction commenced.

‘We believe the Department of Education has been misled that the structure would be beneficial to the school when it was also intended for business use and to make money for the investor.

‘This school has been in this community for 30 years and we as citizens are questioning why the proper channels were not followed with regard to the tender process and public participation.

‘Concerns such as the public’s input, traffic flow, noise pollution, bulk water and electricity we not discussed or even taken into consideration.

‘The community will make allegations just because they are simply not informed; we do not have a problem with building a hall but the proper channels must be followed,’ said Govender.

Meanwhile, community member and newly elected school governing body representative, Phillip Stainbank said he does not have a issue with the hall being for the school’s benefit but it will be used for private use and that posed an issue.

‘It is evident that the rules have not be followed and the project must be stopped because we do not want it to be used for private use.

‘We have two halls in our community, why are those not being used? This project must be stopped and all the right channels must be followed and it cannot proceed without the proper consent.