The FF Plus in the Gauteng Legislature has sent official letters to the Gauteng MECs for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Lebogang Maile and Health, Jacob Mamabolo, requesting urgent intervention at the Rotora School for disabled learners in Carletonville, which has been stranded without electricity for three weeks now.
Due to cable theft, the school has not had electricity since the 7th of September and the girls' hostel has been without power since the 24th of August. The situation at the school has since only deteriorated as on Sunday night, parts of its security network were stolen.
The FF Plus councillor in the Merafong Local Municipality also asked the Municipality's Speaker, Elvis Mphithikezi, to intervene at once and restore the electricity supply to the school. According to Mphithikezi, the Municipality does not have the equipment required to replace the stolen cables.
The school has purchased two generators, but due to the high operating costs, it cannot supply the school, which houses 120 learners, and the two hostels with power simultaneously. And in the meantime, the learners who require special education must be properly cared for.
It is inhumane to leave learners, and particularly children with special needs who live in hostels, without electricity.
The FF Plus will put pressure on the Gauteng government to urgently intervene and will also pay a visit to the school to ensure that these problems are addressed.
Contact details: 071 604 9498