Progress with constructing the first public school in Ward 97 is still virtually non-existent, despite the costly preliminary processes over the years.
DA City of Johannesburg caucus leader and Ward 97 councillor Leah Knott took over this prolonged bid from her predecessor Jaco Engelbrecht whose fight was in vain to get the Gauteng Department of Education to live up to their promise of building a school on the vacant land on the corner of John Vorster and Paul Kruger Roads in Radiokop.
Knott has continued the quest to find answers with very little success over the years.
“For over a decade the GDE has been ‘planning’ a public primary school in Radiokop. The ward currently has over 30 private schools with not one public school, which seriously disadvantages residents of the area, many of whom have not been able to have their children placed in schools at all.
“When I took over as ward councillor in 2016, I commenced what would become the most frustrating process I have ever encountered, characterised by millions having been spent with absolutely no progress to show for it. Over the years I have posed many follow-up questions to the Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, only to be given the run-around and conflicting updates as to the true state of affairs,” Leah explained.
She went on to elaborate on the controversy pertaining to progress and money spent so far.
“It is very apparent that while money is being spent at a furious rate, we have been lied to about the progress of the public school. As far back as 2017, the MEC clearly stated that the rezoning of the land and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been submitted and were in progress, with R9,5 million having been spent to date. In a response to a question I submitted in November 2020 the MEC has now completely backtracked, stating that no applications have been submitted at all and in fact, there has been no movement on the school,” she disclosed.
“It seriously appears that education has taken a back seat to corruption in terms of Covid spending by the ANC. I will be requesting an investigation into this matter at Provincial and National level, and if necessary report it to the Public Protector,” she threatened.
“The education of our youth is what will empower them going forward in their lives, and we can never take this for granted,” Leah criticised.
She went on to provide a detailed sequence of events, which are quoted verbatim:
In 2015 Earthworks in Radiokop commenced; however, these were halted as the GDE failed to submit a township application, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or any building plans. By July 2017 the GDE advised that they were in the process of rezoning a number of properties for public schools in the Province. They also confirmed the budget for infrastructure for these schools:
• R1,7 billion – 2017/18
• R2,4 billion – 2018/19
• R2 billion – 2019/20.
In August 2017, the MEC advised that the school was allocated funding in the 2017/18 budget and they were finalising the appointment of service providers for the EIA and planning work. A timeline could only be determined once the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development gave a Record of Decision. Fast-forward almost a year later to June 2018, and the HoD, Edward Mosuwe advised that the GDE was still finalising the township application.
• Funding was available in 2017/18 – R2,2 million had been spent on preparatory work (land surveying, site establishment and levelling).
• R9,5 million has been spent to date including for site establishment and earthworks in 2015, which had to be put on hold due to environmental and township requirements as well as community unrest.
• The EIA was in progress and thus GDE couldn’t budget funds in 2018/19 but would do so in the adjustment period if the EIA was finalised.
• The completion of the EIA and Township application processes would determine the construction timeline.
Following a meeting with the Acting Director, John Mahange, from GDE in October 2019, it was apparent that they had no idea what the progress was nor were they even aware of the intended school. In a recent question to the MEC on 16 November 2019, he advised that the land STILL NEEDS to be rezoned from agricultural to educational property.
• GDE had appointed a service provider to make this application; however, GDE had not yet received the “Delegation of Authority” from the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) in order to give the service provider the required Power of Attorney to make the application.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – GDE still needed to apply for an exemption. • GDE is aware of the deteriorated fence which posed a security risk to the community, but had no intention of repairing this until construction on the school commenced. GDE is also not able to provide any form of security on the property.
GDE has been approached for comment. However, the entity had not responded before we published the story. This is a developing story.
