PHALABORWA – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) staged a picket on Friday, June 13, to protest against what the party describes as the crumbling state of school infrastructure and alleged nepotism in the hiring of teaching assistants within the Namakgale Circuit.

Dressed in their signature red regalia, a large group of EFF members gathered outside the Namakgale Police Station, singing and chanting liberation songs. The party expressed concern over the state of schools in the area, saying many are unfit for learning and pose serious risks to students and staff.

According to a memorandum compiled by the EFF, numerous schools in the circuit suffer from severe neglect. Classrooms are in disrepair, with broken windows, leaking roofs, and cracked walls making the learning environment unsafe. Basic resources such as desks, chairs, and teaching materials are insufficient, and overcrowded classrooms are contributing to poor learner outcomes.

The EFF also raised alarm over the continued use of pit toilets in schools such as Lebeko High School, Lepato Primary School, and Bollanoto Primary School, which they say pose significant health and safety risks.

The party is demanding a comprehensive report from the Department of Education outlining a clear plan to address infrastructure challenges in the circuit.

They want a timeline for the eradication of pit toilets and the installation of flushing toilets, a strategy to reduce overcrowding, and immediate action to fill teaching vacancies. The EFF also called for the training of School Governing Bodies to strengthen oversight and governance, proper budgeting for school security, the release of detailed financial reports, and a full investigation into the handling of norms and standards grants, including public disclosure of any findings and corrective measures.

Tensions flared when the EFF refused to hand over their memorandum to a clerk who was sent to receive it on behalf of the Department of Education. The party insisted that a senior official should have been present, especially since they had followed proper procedure by applying for the picket through the municipality under Section 4 of the relevant legislation.

According to EFF sub-regional coordinator Pontsho Mashumu, they felt disrespected by the absence of circuit manager David Shikweni, who they were told was in Polokwane.

“We know he was there, but he refused to come out. His attitude shows us that he is hiding something,” Mashumu claimed.

In response to the incident, the EFF announced plans to organise a full-scale march, involving all its regional branches, to demand accountability from the circuit office.

At the time of going to print, the Herald was still awaiting a response from provincial education spokesperson Mike Maringa.