Dying diggers of Namaqualand need saving
| by Veronica Van Dyk, MP – DA Constituency Head of Kamiesberg |
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| Date: 24 February 2020 |
| Release: Immediate |
| The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape deems it is unacceptable that Garies High School is being held to ransom in a bid to compel government to pay outstanding debt owed to the Kamiesberg Municipality.This comes after power to the school was unexpectedly cut on Friday, causing chaos amongst parents who were called from far to fetch their children from the school’s hostel. Some children were further left with no choice but to hike back home, as not all the small surrounding towns have busses. Aside from placing children’s safety at risk and interrupting schooling, the situation has also raised concerns about the preservation of the hostel’s bulk food supply.The school, which is said to owe as much as R900 000 to Kamiesberg municipality, has been in darkness for the entire weekend. Ironically, this happened just days after Eskom, which had previously issued a notice of disconnection to Kamiesberg municipality for their failure to pay outstanding debt, stopped the planned disconnection due to a last-minute payment. While Eskom has been able to show Kamiesberg municipality leniency, Kamiesberg municipality has been unwilling to show the approximately 250 impoverished learners of Garies High School the same mercy.In effect, it remains uncertain when schooling will resume. Parents who live far away have indicated that they cannot risk travelling back on Monday, only to find that the situation has yet to be resolved. Their children will thus be missing out on classes indefinitely.It is tragic that government’s ineptness has culminated in such a wicked game of tit for tat, that sees one government institution exploit the vulnerability of children to extract payment from another government institution. The municipality and the Northern Cape Departments of Roads and Public Works, as well as Education, should be ashamed of themselves.It is inexplicable as to why Kamiesberg Municipality has allowed the outstanding debt to accumulate to such an astronomical amount before addressing it. It is also completely unacceptable that the government departments responsible for settling this debt, simply turn a blind eye to the problem.Failure by government to pay these accounts promptly, regardless of whether it results from indifference, incompetence or insolvency, is a serious dereliction of duty and places the academic future of our learners at risk.The DA is therefore calling on all stakeholders, including the Departments of Education, Roads and Public Works, as well as Kamiesberg Municipality, to urgently come together to ensure the sustainability of schooling in Garies.The municipality must implement a credible billing system and learn to act on matters before they develop into crises. At the same time, departments must facilitate a sustainable payment agreement that will keep classrooms open, the municipality afloat and the lights on. |
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