Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Lebohang Mohlamme. See attached pictures here, here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mangaung Metro Municipality will write to the Municipal Manager to urgently demand the immediate enforcement of municipal bylaws and the implementation of improved safety measures around Motheo College.
The conditions surrounding Motheo College have become unacceptable. Students live in constant fear due to increasing incidents of theft and security threats. Reports indicate that homeless individuals frequently sleep alongside the campus perimeter, resulting in the theft of valuable items such as mobile phones, laptops, and smartwatches.
Even more distressing are concerns about the risk of sexual assault, particularly at night, due to the lack of adequate lighting and visible security patrols. No student should ever be exposed to such danger in an environment intended for learning and personal growth.
Homeless individuals have been burning rubbish near the college for warmth and cooking purposes. These fires have damaged the campus walls, which were repainted recently, causing bubbling and cracks and further deteriorating the facility’s appearance and integrity. The destruction of infrastructure that taxpayers and the community have invested in cannot continue unchecked.
Behind the campus are salons and bottle stores that dispose of waste, including human hair, directly onto the street. This improper disposal not only contributes to environmental pollution but also poses potential health risks for both students and nearby residents.
We call on the municipality to take immediate action by enforcing existing bylaws, providing adequate lighting, improving waste management, and ensuring regular law enforcement patrols in the area.
Failure to act places the safety and well-being of hundreds of young people at risk and sends a message of disregard for the future leaders of our community.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and hold the municipality accountable until tangible action is taken to restore safety and dignity to Motheo College.
The DA believes that every student has the right to study in an environment that is secure, clean, and conducive to learning, not one threatened by neglect and lawlessness.