The South Gauteng High Court has interdicted the “concerned residents of Cosmo City Extension 7,” north of Johannesburg, from interfering with the ongoing construction of Zandspruit Secondary School in the area.
The court prevents them from “perpetrating any acts which are violent and disruptive in nature” against the employees of the department and the construction company.
The residents are also not allowed to blockade the streets in Cosmo City. The respondents include Cosmo City Extension Seven Concerned Residents, Jeffrey Makamu, chairperson of the concerned residents as well as Ofentse Tshegameno, convener of the mass action.
The north of Johannesburg is a pressure point in terms of need for space in schools and schools in Cosmo City in particular are becoming increasingly overcrowded. This school will alleviate the pressure so that we are able to provide quality learning and teaching.
“We are pleased that the court has granted this order as the group has been threatening the safety of the school. The department goes to great lengths to build new schools and it is unacceptable for people to disrupt the provision of quality education,” Charles Phahlane, the spokesman of the Gauteng Department of Education said.
The court accepted that the structure using alternative building materials is of acceptable quality. The concerned residents have until 23 April 2013 to argue that the order should not be made permanent.
For more information contact the Gauteng Department of Education’s Head of Communication:
Charles Phahlane
Tel: 011 355 1530
Cell: 071 860 4496
