Theft and vandalism leave 1,400 learners without basic services at Wedela School
Theft and vandalism at Wedela Technical High School have plunged over 1,400 learners into darkness and left taps dry, crippling education at the Merafong school.
A recent oversight visit by the Democratic Alliance (DA) revealed that the school has been without electricity for seven years and continues to face frequent water outages.
Sergio Isa Dos Santos, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, said learners and teachers are forced to fetch water in buckets for ablutions, while the lone Jojo tank provided by the municipality remains uncovered and potentially contaminated, leaving the water unsafe to drink.
Underground cables and water pipes ripped out, plunging the school into darkness and dry taps.
Image: Supplied
Underground cables and water pipes ripped out, plunging the school into darkness and dry taps.
Image: Supplied
“As a technical school, Wedela relies heavily on electricity for practical lessons and machinery such as lathes. Without power, learners are deprived of meaningful education and critical skills development,” Dos Santos said.
He added that rampant cable theft by Zama Zamas, carried out openly, has worsened the crisis.
“Trenches have been dug both inside and outside the school premises to strip underground electric cables, and underground water pipes have been damaged. These acts of vandalism have left the school in darkness and taps dry,” he said.
Dos Santos explained that the situation was further aggravated when the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) withdrew security guards in 2024, leaving science laboratories and school substations vulnerable to vandalism, and destroying a generator donated by a local mining company.
In response, the DA has demanded that the GDE urgently engage the Merafong Local Municipality to restore basic services and strengthen security to ensure uninterrupted schooling.
Dos Santos said he has already submitted questions to GDE MEC Matome Chiloane regarding the withdrawal of security personnel, funding allocations over the past five years, and steps taken to address recurring electricity and water disruptions.
“The DA will also act swiftly to provide portable flushable toilets, ensuring learners and staff have access to safe and dignified sanitation,” he added.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department is aware of the disruptions and deeply concerned.
“The GDE is aware of the disruption of schooling at Wedela Technical High School, allegedly by community members due to ongoing service delivery issues. Our officials and SAPS have been dispatched to mediate,” Mabona said.
He stressed that there is no excuse for disrupting schooling and urged the community to use proper channels to raise concerns.
Mabona also confirmed that the department is facilitating interventions for Grade 12 learners to ensure they can continue with preliminary examinations despite the disruptions.
“Lost contact time is not easily recovered. We are prioritising support for Grade 12 learners to ensure their studies and exams continue uninterrupted,” he said.
The Star