Limpopo DA insists Kgetjepe must go

Democratic Alliance (DA) Limpopo Premier Candidate Jacques Smalle and a crowd of supporters picketed in Biccard Street outside the office of MEC for Education, Ishmael Kgetjepe last Thursday, demanding Kgetjepe’s immediate resignation.
The DA is adamant that Kgetjepe should vacate his office after allegations that he has received approximately R1,6 million from Mvula Trust who won a multi-million rand tender to build toilets at Limpopo schools as part of the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Development Initiative (Asidi).
Addressing the picketers, Smalle said that the money could have been used to build toilets at 20 of the 2 136 schools in the province whose learners are still exposed to pit latrines. “Today right now we have five schools that have no access to sanitation facilities,” Smalle said.
“The failure by the Department of Education to maintain and upgrade sanitation facilities at our schools and its total disregard to budget accordingly has seen our children as young as they are, stripped of their dignity. It is a reality in this province that more than half of our learners will start and finish their schooling without ever having used or been exposed to appropriate sanitation in their schools,” Smalle said.
“The ANC in Limpopo is the current corruption capital of South Africa. This ANC has failed our children and it is clear that there is no ethical or moral fibre left within the ANC. This is why we as the DA say anyone found guilty of stealing from government and essentially from the people of Limpopo, should be jailed for 15 years,” Smalle concluded.
Department of Education Spokesperson Sam Makhondo said that he was aware of the picketing and that it is the right of anybody to do so.

Story, photos & video: BARRY VILJOEN
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