A school has been shut for two weeks after raw sewage flooded the grounds.
The deputy chairperson of the school governing body Nomzamo Stofile says Spurwing Primary pupils in Eerste River will be at home until the issue is resolved.
“It has been two weeks since this problem started and nothing has been done.
“The stagnant smelly water could cause harm to the children and the school told them not to come to school because of it,” she says.
“The school sent out a message a week ago to parents, telling them to fetch their children from the school.”
She says that the SGB has tried to help by calling the ward councillor but they haven’t received a response.
“This is not the first time this happened, two weeks ago there was a spillage and the City came out and then they fixed it but, I guess, not properly.
“And then a week ago, it was decided to close the school.”
Parent Mlamli Lizo says: “We must make arrangements for someone to look after the children who are supposed to be in school.
“The other concern is that this delays their education, as if Covid has not done enough of that, and now they must stay away because of the poo water.”
WCED’s Bronagh Hammond said: “We are aware of the problem – which is affecting teaching and learning.
“The WCED and the school have engaged with the City of with regards to repairs of the system. We await feedback as to when the issue will be attended to.
“The health and safety of learners are paramount and therefore if the spillage persists, teaching and learning will unfortunately continue to be affected.”
However, the City says service requests were only logged this Monday.
Xanthea Limberg, the City’s Mayco Member for Water and Waste, says a team was dispatched to clear the blockage (yesterday).
She blamed the blockage on “high numbers of avoidable blockages are experienced due to flushing items such as rags, tampons/pads, as well as general litter etc.”
Limberg added that allegation that the overflow has been ongoing for two weeks would be investigated.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za