DA calls on Minister Nzimande to take action against CN Mahlangu TVET College management over filthy campus

Issued by Jane Sithole MPL – DA Mpumalanga Spokesperson on Education
09 Jul 2020 in Press Releases

Note to Editors: Please find attached pictures, here, here, herehere and here on the state of cleanliness at the CN Mahlangu TVET College.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga has engaged our counterparts in the National Assembly to report the management of the CN Mahlangu TVET College to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande.

During a recent oversight inspection, it became clear that the institution’s management has ignored repeated calls to clean this filthy campus and ensure that proper Covid-19 health and safety protocols are implemented in time for the return of students.

While institutions of higher learning had adequate time to implement the necessary health and hygiene measures to resume the academic year, CN Mahlangu TVET College’s management has seemingly not lifted a finger to prepare the institution for reopening.

During an oversight inspection of the campus, the DA witnessed what can only be described as a pigsty:

  • Heaps of rubbish can be found piled up all over the campus;
  • Litter is found around every corner;
  • Showers and hand basins are full of debris and mould; and
  • The water has a dirty brownish colour and clearly not safe for consumption.

These issues at the college are not new, however, the fact that the management has not even bothered to implement hygiene and health protocols during a time of a pandemic is completely unacceptable.

How can it be business as usual on the campus when there are over 500 students at the institution attending classes every day.

The college’s management clearly has no regard for the safety of these students and the risk these dirty conditions pose for the learners who have returned to school to complete their academic year.

The DA in Parliament will call for the college’s management to be taken to task over their incompetence. If they cannot take the health and safety of our young people seriously, then they do not deserve to be in control of their education.