Some of the schools affected by heavy rains resulting in flooding include Keledi Secondary School (Casteel Circuit) and Masana Senior Secondary School in Bushbuckridge, among others. The Mpumalanga Department of Education has observed that some villages in the Ehlanzeni and Bohlabela areas have experienced severe weather conditions.

READ | PHOTOS | Heavy rains flood Nkomazi region

Spokesperson, Gerald Sambo says the safety of learners and staff is a priority. All necessary precautions to mitigate risks associated with the unpleasant weather must be taken. “Principals have to report to District Directors through Circuit Managers about their situation and precautionary measures taken. Schools not affected may continue with schooling, but necessary precautions should be taken into consideration should weather conditions change,” said Sambo.

READ MORE | COGTA cautions communities on heavy rains

The department has advised all schools to take the following necessary precautions to ensure the safety of students, staff, and facilities:

1. Class Suspension
   Consider suspending classes or adjusting school hours where there is severe weather condition to avoid exposing students to hazardous weather conditions.
2. Learner Safety
   Ensure that learners are sent home or to designated safe areas if it is risky to attend classes.
3. Facility Preparation
   Secure outdoor furniture, equipment, and other loose items that could become projectiles in strong winds.
4. Emergency Response Plan
   Activate your school’s emergency response plan and ensure that all staff and learners are aware of the procedures.
5. Communication
   Keep parents and guardians informed about any changes to school schedules or safety measures.

Additional recommendations include monitoring local weather forecasts from the South African Weather Services (SAWS). Keep emergency contact numbers handy and being prepared for potential power outages and have backup plans in place.

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The protest march began at the Crossing Shopping Centre then proceeded to the provincial legislature offices, where protesters submitted a memorandum of grievances, demanding justice.

At the forefront of the march was the mother of a rape victim, a rape survivor herself. She spoke out against the alleged rape of the seven-year-old from Matatiele, revealing that her daughter was also sexually assaulted by a teacher at Curro school in the city last year.

“I am standing here as a rape victim at the age of 12, and that is why I decided to stand and say: ‘Not with my child again,” she proclaimed. My daughter was sexually assaulted by a teacher at Curro, and the perpetrator is roaming free in the streets of Nelspruit. I am now dealing with a suicidal child because the justice system has failed us.”

The police confirmed in a statement that a case was opened against the 24 year-old teacher and he was arrested in November last year. However, the matter was not enrolled in court as prosecutors issued instructions that required further investigation

“Consequently, the alleged suspect was released pending ongoing investigation. The probe has since continued, and the docket has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for a decision. The SAPS encourage members of the public to report any violations of their rights and promises to provide assistance as needed,” said the police.

READ | Suspect rapes his grandmother and cousin

Protesters demanded justice for Cwecwe and her daughter, calling for Curro Nelspruit to be shut down.

Lebogang Mokoena, a community activist said the ANC Youth League, took the initiative to march in solidarity with the victim as they firmly believe that gender-based violence must be stopped. Perseverance Masuku, a community said as a father raising a girl child, the thought of what happened to the rape victims is unbearable. “As men, we need to stand up and protect young girls and women from sexual abuse.”

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The Department of Education spokesperson, Gerald Sambo said the department takes a stern view of misconduct, including sexual harassment, considering it a serious breach of the law. He emphasized the importance of school principals reporting allegations of sexual harassment, ensuring swift and effective action is taken to address these issues.

The march was part of nationwide protests led by human rights activists and civil society organisations, calling for an end to gender-based violence and greater accountability from those in power.

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As a result, parents are sounding the alarm over the school’s deteriorating condition. The school, which caters to children with special needs, including those who are visually impaired and mentally challenged. Reports indicate that the school has cracked buildings and non-functional ablution facilities. Learners are then forced to use buckets and basins to clean up. There is also a lack of proper learning resources, and a severe shortage of educators.

Siyabonga Mhlongo, a concerned community member expressed frustration over the lack of progress in addressing the school’s needs, despite efforts to communicate with the management.

“We have been informed that only a few buildings need renovations, which is not meeting the school’s actual needs. What is required is a new residence, laundry facilities, and additional classrooms, not just renovations. As a result, we have united in support of a peaceful march. It will take place tomorrow to deliver a memorandum outlining the school’s necessary upgrades,” he said.

READ | Mpumalanga aims to enhance teaching and learning for persons with disabilities

Social media platforms have also been flooded with complaints from other concerned community members, who have shared their outrage over the school’s state of despair. “Just because they have special needs does not mean they should be living in such conditions,” one user noted.

“We’ve been complaining about the state of the school for years but nothing seems to be changing,” another user said.

In response to the concerns, the Mpumalanga Department of Education has promised to intervene. According to Gerald Sambo, spokesperson for the department, a contractor will soon be appointed to renovate and build new classrooms.

“As the department, we are aware of the infrastructure challenges. We are currently in the process of doing a site handover to a contractor, who will begin doing renovations at the school. We have also started the process of planning and designing 12 additional classrooms for learners with special needs,” he said.

READ | School Safety Initiative leads to two female dagga dealers’ arrests

Sambo further noted that the department has also started the process of appointing four additional educators to address the shortage of teachers.

The school is one of 18 special schools in Mpumalanga, accommodating over 200 learners. As the department works to address the challenges facing the school, parents and learners wait anxiously for tangible improvements.

The post Concerns mount over state of Silindokuhle Special School appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

The Mpumalanga Department of Education was alerted and officials were sent to the scene to assess the extent of the damage and provide recommendations on the necessary steps moving forward.

Gerald Sambo from the department said a formal investigation on the incident will be undertaken in collaboration with the relevant institutions. “A case of arson has already been been opened at the KwaMhlanga Police Station to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” said Sambo.

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The cause of the fire remains undetermined at this stage, however the department urges anyone with information that could assist with the investigation to contact the KwaMhlanga Police Station.

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The incident took place at Platorand Skool/School in Belfast, but according to the mother, she was only informed a week after.
She stated that received a call from the school informing to attend a meeting on May 24, but when she asked if there was a problem with her son, she was told it was a minor issue.

READ | Well-known pastor convicted for rape and robbery

“There were other parents when I arrived and to my surprise, I was told that eight other boys had raped my son. I had to search for answers which nobody was willing to give and what hurt me the most, was that he was not even taken to the doctor.”

She then asked the school to transport her and her son to the clinic for a medical examination which confirmed he had been raped.
A case was also opened, however, what puzzled her was the manner in which the school responded to the matter.

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“At the meeting there was a representative from the Department of Education who we were told was from Kwaggafontein. She warned me not to say anything because the matter was only to be spoken about there. I refused and that is why I reported it to the police and the reason why my son is at home and not at school,” she said.

ALSO READ | Ermelo man sentenced to 55 years in prison for rape and robbery

Department of Education’s Gerald Sambo said they learnt of the incident and a meeting was subsequently convened with parents last Monday. An investigation by the department is currently underway. He also added that a psychologist and a social worker have also been deployed to the school to render the necessary support. Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi confirmed that a case was opened. He said suspects are currently waiting for a Probation Officers Assessment as they are still minors.

“There are currently no arrests made. The Probation Officers will give recommendation based on their assessment results,” said Hlathi.

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