The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Gauteng Department of Education has misled the public by claiming that no school has experienced electricity disconnections, a claim directly contradicted by its own official reply to questions posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

The DA has condemned the department's conduct and requested an investigation by the Public Protector into this matter.

In his response to DA's written question, the MEC for Education, Lebohang Maile, confirmed that multiple schools within the City of Ekurhuleni have, in fact, had their electricity disconnected and for extended periods in some cases.

The department’s own data reveals that schools such as Bedfordview High, Laerskool Welgedacht, and Laerskool Morewag experienced electricity disconnections for more than 120 days, with others also affected at various points during 2025 and 2026. This is despite repeated public assurances that no such disruptions occurred.

Even more alarming is the escalating trend: in 2024, three schools experienced electricity disconnections; this surged dramatically to 31 schools in 2025; and in only the first four months of 2026, 16 schools have already been impacted.

This raises a serious question: why is the department assuring the public that there are no disruptions while, in official replies, admitting the opposite?

The obvious conclusion is that the department has been attempting to conceal its poor financial and administrative management, which is wreaking havoc in our schools. This is unfolding in the context of mounting municipal debt owed by schools, intensifying pressure on already strained budgets, and a staggering 64% cut to allocations for Quintile 5 schools.

The truth is simple: schools have been left in the dark, and the department tried to hide it. This is not a communications failure; it is a failure of governance and accountability. If the department cannot even be honest about whether schools have electricity, how can parents trust it to run the education system?

The DA will not stand by and allow the department to mislead parents, learners, and the public. We demand an immediate correction of deceptive statements, full disclosure of all affected schools, accountability for those responsible, and urgent action to ensure no school is ever disconnected again.

The DA is the only party that can restore integrity in the Gauteng Department of Education through transparency, accountability, and sound financial management, ensuring every learner receives uninterrupted, quality education in a conducive environment.

Issued by Michael Waters MPL - DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Education