Vikelwa School in Ogies vandalised
A questionnaire was then sent to the department of public works to find out what role they played after the school was transferred under their care
We recently received a report connection with Vikelwa School in Ogies being vandalised.
The information we have received is that Vikelwa School was transferred from the department of education to the department of public works. The information further states that due to some environmental issues, because the school was near mines and because of the Children Act, the school had to be closed down.
The vandalised Vikelwa School in Ogies which has turn into a ghost building. Some people have been seen collecting materials from the school.
Some of the pupils in the school were transferred to other schools in the province. The information further indicated that the school building was left in the care of the department of public works.
Some of the building’s roof has been taken as well.
It was investigated from the department of education that in Mpumalanga we have three schools of industry and reform schools; it is recommended that these schools be transformed into youth care and education centres without changing the nature of the school. These schools are maintained for the admission, care, education and training of learners sent or transferred to the school in terms of the Child Care Act and the Criminal Procedure Act.
A vandalised guardroom with windows broken and the furniture removed.
The main aim of these institutions is effective therapeutic and developmental programmes for emotionally and or behaviourally troubled young people, including those in trouble with the law.
The schools are George Hofmeyer in Standerton, Vaalrivier in Standerton and Vikelwa in Ogies
The school building was just left behind and then it has been vandalised. Even vans were seen removing materials from the school according to information. We also wanted to find out if the school building is still under the care of the department of public works?
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The entrance of Vikelwa School in Ogies with a furrow being dug, to what and who dug remains a mystery.
In their response the department of public works said the school was surrendered by the Department of Education to the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport and subsequently handed over to the Department of Social Development to be utilized as a special school for boys, specifically for orphans that has been referred by social workers and magistrate courts.
“The school has not been in operation since April 2015, due to the fact that it is not child friendly as per requirements of the Department of Social Development; hence this non-compliance has led to the closing down of the school.The Department of Social Development surrendered the facility to the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport in July 2015. The Department monitors the facility on a monthly basis. There are several applicants that want to rent the facility from the Department, however in terms of the procedures the facility must be advertised and currently the advertisement of the property is in progress. The Department has since reported illegal removals of assets from the building to the SAPS at Ogies,” added the statement from the department of public works.
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