Wedela Technical High School, once one of the best-performing schools in the area, is struggling due to persistent theft.

According to the DA Shadow MEC for Education, Sergio Isa Dos Santos, members of this political party recently visited the school as part of an oversight visit. They discovered that the school, which serves 1 400 learners, has been without electricity for seven years and has faced repeated disruptions due to water outages. Cable theft by zama zamas is rampant and taking place openly. Trenches have been dug both inside and outside the school premises to strip the underground electric cables, and underground water pipes have been damaged.

Crime increasing

“The situation has been worsened by the GDE’s withdrawal of security guards last year. As a result, science laboratories have been damaged, and school substations have been vandalised. Additionally, a generator donated by a local mining company has been destroyed.
Learners and educators must collect water in buckets to use the ablution facilities. The only Jojo tank on site, provided by the local municipality, is uncovered and exposed to possible contamination, making the water unsafe to drink. As a technical school, Wedela Technical High relies heavily on electricity for its practical lessons and machinery such as lathes. Without power, learners are deprived of meaningful education and critical skills development,” says Dos Santos.

DA to question Education Department

“The DA has already submitted questions to the GDE MEC Matome Chiloane to determine why security personnel were withdrawn from Wedela, how much was allocated to the school in the past five years, and steps taken to address the recurring electricity and water challenges, among others. A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would ensure that the GDE works with Public Safety and the Merafong Municipality to replace stolen cables, restore water, and urgently reinstate on-site security. We would also move swiftly in providing portable flushable toilets to ensure that learners and staff have access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities,” Dos Santos added.

GDE responds

The Herald asked the Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson, Steven Mabona, to comment on when the school will be helped.
He responded that his department has not yet received questions from the DA regarding the matter and is waiting for the questions before giving a response.