More than 40 minor children at the Mmabana Early Learning Centre have been left to endure freezing weather and partly learn in the dark. This is after Centlec switched off electricity supply, owing to dismal failure by the bankrupt Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
The department, which is the custodian of the Mmabana Arts and Culture Centre, has failed to pay its overdue account since May after which power supply was switcheddisconnected, leaving the facility in the dark and plunging all programmes into disarray.
According to gravely concerned parents, problems negatively impacting on the smooth running of programmes at the state-of-art facility relate to incompetency rather than the Covid-19 pandemic. They spoke on anonymous grounds for fear of victimisation.
Their disgust follows fruitless attempts since May to get clarity from authorities about unresolved power cuts.
“The times we went to the offices, the best we were offered was being taken from pillar to post, while being told about the unavailability of the head of the department (HOD) attending important meetings,” a concerned parent said.
“Minor children have been exposed to extreme cold for too long, while officials work in warm offices.”
Parents said no gas heaters had been provided as an alternative, amidand officials were quite aware the power had been disconnected.
They claimed there had been no effective learning and teaching in the second quarter, and that this was continuing into in the third term.
Another parent said in an attempt to shift the blame the head of the department had referred them to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
“We approached the Department of Public Works’ HOD, who told us the facility was the responsibility of the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
“In a turn of events, thenthe HOD of the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation contradicted herself by saying they had requested assistance from the Provincial Treasury for financial aid, because they did not have money to pay the Centlec account.”
Lele Mamatu, Centlec spokesperson, confirmeddepartment that is the custodian of the department was fully aware of the outstanding debt and the disconnection of power being due to it defaulting on payment.
“A total of 50% of the outstanding amount should be paid in order to enter into a payment agreement,” said Mamatu.
“The remaining balance is payable within six months. According to our credit control and debt policy, all accounts rendered by the entity must be paid on the due date, which is the seventh of every month.
“In cases where the consumer fails to pay any account within a period of 14 days after the expiry of a due date, the entity, without prior notice, will disconnect or discontinue the supply of electricity to the property in question.”
Tankiso Zola, spokesperson, has stated the facts on the behalf of the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
“The department is aware of the electricity challenges at the Mmabana Arts and Culture Centre and is in the process of sorting out the outstanding electricity payments.
“While the matter is being sorted with Centlec, the department is attending to interim measures for heating purposes at the centre.”
Neither the department, nor Centlec, would divulge the amount which must be paidowed before power would be reconnected. However, it is reported that the debt is more than R2 million.
The facility offers aerobics, dance, drama and music, as well as visual art.
“In recent years this place has not been an enabling platform for talent development and learning – it is rapidly becoming a fertile breeding ground for rats and mice. Equipment are gathering dust,” said a gravely concerned parent.
“With power switched off for so long, and lack of accountability by the department, the centre is exposed to vandals.”
