Thousands of pupils in Gauteng are crammed in rented mobile classrooms because contractors hired to upgrade their schools failed to complete the projects in time after being paid millions of rand.
At least 10 schools whose upgrade projects were awarded through tenders in the last five years are yet to be completed, according to the provincial infrastructure department. Government has so far spent over R460m on all 10 projects.
For at least three of the schools, the department has blamed contractors for not completing the work, resulting in the deals terminated. These schools are Nancefield Primary in Eldorado Park, Thubelihle High in Soweto and Ahanang intermediate primary in Poortje in the south of Johannesburg where contractors allegedly abandoned work.
At Nancefield primary, which Sowetan visited last week, the government has spent about R56m on what should have been the construction of a brick and mortar replacement school constructed by Clear Choice Builders. The company was hired to build 28 classrooms, five grade R learning areas, sports facilities, guard house and upgrade a hall and a feeding centre.
However, the buildings have been left incomplete with over 30 brick classrooms without any roofs, tiles, or doors.
Some of the structures included three blocks of toilets of about six cubicles each, a double story admin block with four flower beds with overgrown weeds. Some of the walls are mouldy with cracks.
About 1,800 pupils from grades R to 7 have been accommodated in mobile classrooms in the yard along the same street and have been on the premises since 2020. They used the parking lot as a playground.
According to the parents, the school would have brought much relief to the overcrowding crisis it was already facing before the construction.
“The school was growing rapidly and the number of learners was increasing. So we welcomed the progressive addition of capacity. But with the unfinished school, nearly four years later, learners find themselves in the same overcrowded situation again. It is not right,” said the grandfather of grade 5 pupil at the school Ben van Wyk.
Responding to Sowetan’s inquiry, Clear Choice Builders CEO Cynthia Manonga said: “Clear Choice Builders has not been part of that project since December 2021 and therefore have no further comment on the matter. All enquiries should be referred to the department of infrastructure head of department and the MEC’s offices. The circumstances of Clear Choice Builders’ departure are on record.”
The department spent R55.9m on the project, which is now expected to be complete by March 2024.
Construction company Dloziman Trading was meant to refurbish classrooms at Thubelihle High but allegedly left the site after the department spent more than R9m. About 12 classrooms were left without roofs, tiles, windows and doors.
Grade 8 to 12 pupils are also crammed in mobile classes as most of their brick classrooms remain damaged. This has also left the school vulnerable to theft with a smart board recently being stolen from the premises.
A representative from Dloziman Trading refused to comment when approached yesterday. “It’s a Sunday. I’m relaxing and I don’t want to talk to you,” said the man.
At Ahanang primary, pupils are without a decent sport field, with the admin block left untiled and without a ceiling. Kwagga Holdings was meant to build netball courts and other sporting facilities.
However, the only thing Sowetan could see was an incomplete netball court without poles or ground markings. In cases relating to other schools, the department is also facing legal action from a contractor as a result of nonpayment for the building of Mayibuye primary in Soweto, which resulted in the school being left incomplete.
Other schools that were meant to be refurbished are Braamfisherville Primary in Roodepoort, LG Holele Secondary in Garankuwa, Laerskool Frikkie Meyer Vanderbijlpark, Kwadedangendlale Secondary in Soweto and Hillcrest Primary in Malvern.
Spokesperson for the department Victor Moreriane did not respond to media queries.
sibiyan@sowetan.co.za
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