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The Democratic Alliance (DA) have requested the Public Protector to investigate the failed construction project at a school at Vogelfontein at Bethlehem and the consequences of this on learners and families of the local community.

The Vogelfontein School construction project was first mentioned in the Free State Legislature during the State of the Province Address of the former Premier Ace Magashule on 27 February 2018 during which he indicated that this school was one of nine schools whose construction would commence in the 2018/19 Financial Year. In a reply to a question by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State Legislature, the MEC for Public Works and Human Settlements in the Free State, Ms M Koloi, indicated that R18 551 351,86 has been spent on this project.

The DA has requested the Public Protector to investigate the following:

1. The allocation of this project to the contractor Tshitshirisang Construction and Projects who clearly has no experience or ability to carry out such a contract.
2. The payments of the amounts mentioned above, while it is clear that the work done does not justify the payments.
3. The R6 566 989,30 off site material that remains unaccounted for and could be regarded as theft.
4. The lack of supervision by the Department and failure to secure the project from vandalism and threat after cancelling the project.
5. The wastage of resources by allowing building material such as bags cement to harden resulting in it now having to be discarded.
6. The impact of this on learners in the area who now have to wait many years for access to a school in their community.

The current decay and wastage of resources is significant. It is clear that the Department has been reckless and negligent regarding this project. Money has been paid out while evidence indicates that no value for money has been received. No supervision has been undertaken to ensure that resources have been protected from the elements and secured. The current construction will now have to be demolished and a new project initiated.

This has an impact on the community of Vogelfontein whose children have to cross busy roads to access schools long distances from their homes. The community is impoverished and these children who hoped for access to a school and education close to their homes have had these hopes dashed and continue to walk long distances to access educational facilities which is a threat to their safety.

The DA will continue to be the voice of the voiceless in our fight for justice in the Free State.

Issued by Leader of the Opposition in the Free State, Dr Roy Jankielsohn MPL