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Yesterday it was brought to our attention that telephone lines of education district offices in the Limpopo’s Waterberg district have been cut off because the education department has failed to pay the telephone bills. Today we have learned that district offices in Mopani, Vhembe and Capricorn have also had their telephone lines cut for the same reason.  

This situation will make it extremely difficult to coordinate examination processes as district offices need to be in constant contact with the various schools where exams are taking place.

Today our attempts to call the Provincial Department to speak to someone proved fruitless as their telephone lines are also not operational.  This situation is completely unacceptable, particularly now when schools are in the midst of the examination period.

When I question MEC of Education Mr Masemola about this in the portfolio committee today, he did not appear at all perturbed by the situation and merely suggested that I take the matter up with the administrator.

This attitude reinforces our long-held view that Mr Masemola should have been made to vacate his position a long time ago. His continuous failures at the helm of this department and his refusal to accept responsibility show little concern for the education of our children.

I will write to Premier Mathale to ask him to take urgent action to restore telephone lines to the affected offices. We cannot afford a breakdown in communication between schools and district offices, particularly during the exam period.