PIETERMARITZBURG – Parents and members of the governing body at Funulwazi Primary School in Imbali staged a peaceful picket this week, demanding urgent action to address escalating crime, vandalism, and prolonged electricity outages at the institution.
The school has been without a reliable electricity supply since 2023, following repeated incidents of cable theft. The ongoing power disruptions have significantly hampered teaching and learning activities, prompting growing frustration within the school community.
A spokesperson for the school’s governing body confirmed that while the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has previously intervened—including efforts to restore electricity—subsequent acts of vandalism have repeatedly left the school without power. “The infrastructure belongs to the school, and every time it is repaired, it is targeted again,” the spokesperson stated.
Concerns were also raised regarding security measures. Although a security company has been contracted to protect the premises, break-ins and vandalism continue to occur. “We are still experiencing break-ins at the school. We are experiencing vandalism,” the spokesperson noted, emphasizing that the safety of school property and the learning environment remains compromised.
Parents expressed particular concern that, despite school gates remaining closed during the day, the damaged infrastructure and inadequate security pose ongoing risks. The governing body has formally called on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to provide sustained intervention and support to safeguard the school’s facilities and restore consistent educational services.
The Department of Education has not yet issued a detailed public response to the latest protest, but parents and school officials say they will continue to advocate for a lasting solution to protect the school and its learners.
