Parents at Dumezweni Primary School in Pumula South are demanding answers after an Early Childhood Development (ECD) block remained unused for eight years due to a sewer installation error.
They say the Bulawayo City Council placed a septic tank in the wrong location when the classroom block was constructed, leaving it filled with water and unusable. According to parents, the mistake has not been corrected despite repeated payments towards the project.
In an interview with CITE, former School Development Committee (SDC) treasurer Eugene Sikhosana said families were frustrated after contributing money for years without progress.
“It is very painful for us as parents because we have been paying money for the sewer connection for many years, but nothing has been done,” he said. “When the ECD block was built, we were told to pay so that the sewer system could be connected. We agreed because it was for our children, but up to now the building is still not being used because the septic tank was put in the wrong place, and no one has fixed that mistake.”
Sikhosana said some parents who initially paid towards the project no longer have children at the school, while new parents are being asked to contribute again.
“What is not fair is that parents whose children are no longer at the school also paid for this sewer. Their children have already left, and now new parents are being asked to pay again for the same thing,” he said. “This has been going on for years, and there is no clear answer on what is happening to the money or when the work will be finished.”
Another parent, Thandolwenkosi Mpofu, said families were growing increasingly frustrated.
“Every year we are told to pay for the sewer, but nothing changes,” she said. “Our children cannot use the ECD block because of this problem. The septic tank was placed in the wrong area, so why is it taking so long to fix it? For eight years nothing has been done. We want clear answers from the school and the city council.”
Sibusiso Nyoni said parents were given hope last year when they were shown a plan for the sewer connection.
“In November last year, we were shown a plan and we thought the problem would finally be solved,” he said. “But up to now, nothing has happened. It looks like there is no proper communication between the school and the city council. This problem has taken too long to fix.”
Parents said the issue dates back to when the ECD block was first built and contributions were requested for sewer pipes and installation. Those pupils have since moved on, but the facility remains unused.
They are now questioning how funds collected over several years have been managed and whether the school and the city council are working together to resolve the matter.
The local authority had not responded to questions by the time of publication.
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