By Refilwe Mphirime
The gates of Sol Plaatje Primary School, in Kimberley were closed on 8 April due to the blockage of the sewerage drain. Learners were sent home as a result.
“Unfortunately, our school is situated in an area where sewer lines of the municipality are constantly blocking. There is a sewer line that runs down Mandy road and another in Phillip Mphiwa. Whenever there is a blockage the sewerage water flows into our school,” said the school’s Principal, Patrick Mangate, who has been at the helm since 2004.
The sewerage water dammed at different places on the school premises, behind the grade three classes and the toilets.
“We realised we had a problem on 5 March. The sewerage would subside every now and again. It has been a month since the water dammed,” said the principal.
“Various attempts were made to report the matter to the municipality. On one occasion, they said they could not come because their truck was broken,” added Mangate.
The municipality managed to render their services on 9 April, after parents planned on marching to the department of education and Sol Plaatje municipality.
A teacher and two learners fell ill as a result of the sewerage smell. The wastage has since subsided when the pipes were unblocked and classes are said to resume on 11 April.
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