BOSA requests Premier Lesufi establishes task team to recover R100 million wasted on Mayibuye “swamp school”

8 July 2024

Build One South Africa (BOSA) has now fully studied the Public Protector’s Report into the maladministration and impropriety of the Gauteng government in the construction of the Mayibuye Primary School in Tembisa.

The report emanates from a formal complaint laid by BOSA Leader, Mmusi Maimane, on 16 September 2020 – nearly 4 years ago – after personally visiting the white elephant school that has cost the taxpayer almost R100 million. Built on a wetland, the school is unsafe for human habitation.

BOSA welcomes the Public Protector’s findings, which conclude that:

The Gauteng government “did not comply with the applicable legal prescripts and procedures regulating procurement or supply chain management processes” and this resulted in “overspending, costs overruns and undue delays in completing the project”.

However, we are of the view that the remedial action is flimsy and deficient and illustrates how far this matter is away from being settled. All effort must be made to recover the funds spent otherwise shady contractors and compromised government employees get away scot-free.

The relevant remedial action is as follows:

• For the Gauteng Infrastructure Department (GDID) to, within 60 days from the date of receipt of the report, provide the PP with a project plan indicating how and when the completion of the remaining external civil works will be finalised to ensure that Mayibuye Primary School is fully operational.
• For the Gauteng Education Department to provide the relevant Treasury with a report, also within 60 days, on cost control measures for the construction of new primary and secondary schools and the provision of additional buildings at existing school
• For the Head of the Gauteng Provincial Treasury to, within 60 days, provide the Public Protector with monitoring mechanisms or measures to be put in place to prevent irregular and fruitless expenditure in relation to this project

The road to accountability is not over, it has only just begun. The Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi – who was the MEC for Education when the project commenced - is primarily responsible for oversight on the implementation of the remedial action.

BOSA’s Member in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Ayanda Allie, has today written to Premier Lesufi, requesting he establish a multi-party task team from the legislature to oversee the implementation of the PPs remedial action, as well as to advise on further actions required to ensure justice and accountability prevail. In particular, to ensure funds are recovered. This may include a separate legislative inquiry and/or legal action.

It must be stated that Mayibuye Primary School is not the only school in the province in such a predicament. Others include Semphato Secondary School. Hillcrest Primary School. LG Holele Secondary School. Mayibuye Primary School. Thubelihle Primary School. Ruster Vaal Secondary School. Nanciefield Primary School. Laerskool Frikie Meyer. Ahanang Primary School.

These are just the instances we are aware of where contracts were awarded to build or restore schools, yet they remain closed or abandoned.

BOSA will continue to advocate for affordable, quality education for every young person - from the earliest stages of schooling to high-level degrees. Given the proportion of our national budget allocated to education, every student should receive an education that prepares one for a future economy, opportunities for lifelong learning, and for a career of their choice.

Statement issued by Roger Solomons, BOSA Acting Spokesperson, 8 July 2024