KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has pledged to take action against officials found responsible for the prolonged neglect of damaged schools in the province, following an inspection of storm-ravaged facilities in Inanda.
During a visit to a school on Tuesday, Premier Ntuli expressed shock at discovering a classroom that had remained unrepaired since 2022, despite prior reports of structural damage. The school is among 138 institutions severely affected by recent extreme weather, with 14 rendered unusable due to safety hazards.
“We will investigate whether this delay was due to financial constraints or negligence,” Ntuli stated. “If officials failed to act on reports, there will be consequences.”
The premier acknowledged provincial budget cuts—reportedly over R60 billion—as a contributing factor but emphasized the need for urgent intervention. Temporary mobile classrooms will be deployed to ensure disrupted schools resume lessons, while long-term repairs are prioritized.
Ntuli further revealed that his administration is engaging private sector partners and appealing to national government for additional funding. However, he stressed that financial challenges cannot excuse systemic failures in infrastructure maintenance.
The issue has drawn sharp criticism from education advocates, who argue that prolonged neglect compromises learning outcomes. With the June deadline for a provincial damage assessment plan looming, affected communities await tangible progress.
