Metro wants to demolish private college in Tembisa
The help of the Human Settlements Ombudsman has been called in to try and mediate the matter
A private school in Phomolong in Tembisa faces being demolished as it is operating on land occupied unlawfully.
In an attempt to settle the case, the help of the Human Settlements Ombudsman, Themba Mthethwa, had been called in to try and mediate the matter between Sunrise Combined College, Ekurhuleni Municipality and the department of education.
The court had not yet granted the municipality permission to demolish the school but appointed the Ombudsman to intervene.
A meeting was held on October 13 between Sunrise’s governing body, parents and Ekurhuleni to map the way forward.
The parties involved will be back in Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on October 31 where the court order, which was issued in August, will be dealt with.
Parents, teachers and students will attend the court case.
The court order directed Sunrise to appoint an independent, qualified person (consultant) to consult with parents and obtain their views on the implications of a demolishing order, should the court grant such an order to the City of Ekurhuleni.
The consultant was also instructed to find out whether parents of the school were aware of the fact that the school occupied the land illegally and that the buildings had been erected without approved building plans.
The department of education was to provide its input and assistance to identify available public and private schools in the surrounding area where learners could be placed, as well as a time frame within which the learners would be moved to alternative schools, should a demolition order be granted.
Should the department not be able to supply alternative accommodation, they must provide input on the availability of alternative land.
