Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Stone Makhema.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Metsimaholo Local Municipality will write to Premier McQueen Letsoha-Mathae to urgently intervene in the unacceptable state of schools in the municipality. This follows a follow-up oversight visit with DA NCOP MP Dr. Igor Scheurkogel, which revealed serious delays and hazardous conditions at several schools.
Earlier this year, the Free State MEC of Education, Mantlhake Julia Maboya, announced HM Mthombeni High School, began in 2019 and was meant to be completed in 2022. However, little progress has been made: twenty of the twenty-eight classrooms lack electricity, hindering teaching on cloudy or rainy days.
One classroom is being used as a kitchen, where gas is used without any safety precautions or fire extinguishers. Doors of poor quality have been installed, requiring frequent replacement, while barricades restrict movement across the premises, and most V-drains remain incomplete.
The hall has stood half-built since last year, and only a handful of contract workers appear on-site, showing a clear lack of urgency.
Although some progress has been noted at Taaibos Primary School, there is still much to be done, as construction continues. Children are being served from outside in an open area due to an incomplete kitchen.
The electricity connection is still incomplete, and both schools need to pave large areas. The department has ignored the previous request for joint oversight, as they are not taking action on their part.
The Free State Department of Education has continuously shifted blame to the Department of Public Works, and we have now received yet another target completion date of September and October 2025, which, at first glance, appears to be an impossible mission.