The Mpumalanga Department of Education has outlined the reasons behind the delay in the building of much of the province’s school infrastructure.

On Monday February 27, a departmental spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, said the statement released on Saturday February 25 explains the causes and gives all the details on school infrastructure spending.

“The department notes that the allocation of R311 949 000 could not be transferred to the department, given that it was perceived to be underspending on the school infrastructure grant. This is indeed a bitter pill to swallow, considering the huge backlog as well as the need to improve school infrastructure within the province.”

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Sambo said as things stand, a number of schools within the province are either overcrowded or require some form of repairs. There is a huge demand to build new schools in a number of needy areas. “It stands to reason, therefore, that the department will be concerned when an allocation for improving school infrastructure had to be stopped, as it happened this week. This is not something the department takes lightly. We wish to put it on record that the genesis of this commenced when there were allegations made publicly about possible corruption within infrastructure-related projects.”

He said these allegations required the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit to probe the authenticity of these allegations, and the investigations are still ongoing. “While that was unfolding, about six senior officials within the

Infrastructure Chief Directorate resigned their posts, thereby leaving an unforeseen void, which had a serious negative impact on the implementation of infrastructural projects. Subsequently, the department appointed officials on acting capacities, advertised the posts, and at the same time made sure that the implementation of projects was not compromised.

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“The sudden amendment to the grant framework, which brought a 60/40 split between maintenance and capital, equally meant that the plan to accelerate the construction of capital projects had to be reviewed, and that in itself caused some levels of delays. It is for this reason that the recorded low expenditure is only on maintenance projects. Capital is already overspending,” explained Sambo.

He said an acceleration plan has since been developed with all the implementing agencies and was submitted to the Department of Basic Education. The Early Childhood Development Infrastructure Projects are allocated to the Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust and are at an advanced stage.

Sambo said the executive council has appointed a chief financial officer and director for infrastructure delivery. The recruitment process for the other vacant posts are at an advanced stage.
In the past month, since the 2023 academic year begin, concerns have been raised by Mbombela community members regarding school infrastructure, because some learners could not be placed in schools and some construction projects were incomplete.