09 Nov 2016

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen says his ministry is aware of the status of teachers’ houses at Mahube Primary School.

Responding to a question from Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Winter Mmolotsi in Parliament, Mr  Van Der Westhuizen stated that teachers’ houses for Mahube have not been included in the cosntruction tender due to budgetary constraints.

He nevertheless said the council would continue to assist the tenants by attending to daily minor maintenance reports using the council maintenance crew.

Regarding the general maintenance of classrooms, admission block, toilets and the kitchen block at the school, Mr Van Der Westhuizen said Mahube Primary School tender was awarded on November 1, 2016 and said that the work is currently ongoing and expected to be completed in February 2017.

He further explained that it took longer than anticipated to reconnect electricity in the classrooms that were renovated following bat infestation, as there was a need to rewire the classrooms.

He also pointed out that it was also realised during testing for reinstatement of power that two classrooms blocks had a faulty underground supply cable that needed to be replaced.

Mr Van Der Westhuizen said the material for both the rewiring and the cable replacements were not available in stock, adding that they had to be ordered through the tender process which was concluded and signed in August 2016, hence the delay.

He further stated that the electrical materials are now available following the award and signing of the tender, adding that work is expected to be done by end of November 2016.

Mr Mmolotsi had asked the minister if he was aware of the state and level of dilapidation of teachers’ house at Mahube Primary School in Francistown.

He had also wanted an explanation as to when the houses would be renovated as well as why it had taken long to reconnect electricity in the classrooms that were renovated following bat infestation. ENDS