Acting KwaZulu-Natal Premier Mr Senzo Mchunu read the riot act to learners and department officials after he found total lawlessness at Qoqulwazi High School in Driefontein outside KwaDukuza during his visit there yesterday.
Mchunu found classrooms empty as most learners were late for school, while other younger children of school-going age were found playing in a local park.
“Why are you not at school? Where is your school uniform?” asked Mchunu when he found learners playing in the local park. After failing to get a proper response, Mchunu sent the children to school with officials who accompanied him on the visit.
One learner was found in possession of dagga, which was packed in his pencil case. The learner was arrested for possession of the dagga and a knife which was found in his pocket.
“We cannot allow drugs in our schools, which are places of learner where children are supposed to be in a safe environment free of crime and drugs,” said Mchunu.
When Mchunu arrived at the school, he was informed that the school's principal was on sick leave since August 12, but her immediate supervisor was not aware of the leave, which was not authorised.
Mchunu also complained about the close proximity of a shebeen to Maguyana Primary School, which should not happen in terms of the Liquor Act, which stipulates that establishments that serve alcohol cannot be near schools.
The visit was part of the provincial Cabinet's Operation Sukuma Sakhe, which brings together communities and government structures at all levels to deal with service delivery at local level and to address social issues.
“We understand that not everyone has the financial ability and time to travel to our provincial capital and therefore it is with this in mind that we, as government decided we needed to travel across the province, to afford members of the different district municipalities’ first-hand experience on how we conduct government affairs in pursuance of their interests,” said Mchunu when addressing residents in Mandeni.
Mchunu also gave an account of government's service delivery operations in the District over the past five years.
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Spokesperson for the Office of the Premier ‘
Cell: 082 3754742
Interviews with Acting Premier
Muntu Lukhozi
Cell: 082 562 5965
