Seven incomplete school projects in Gauteng — worth a combined R955 million — remain unfinished, leaving thousands of pupils without proper classrooms.
Two of the stalled builds, together valued at R261 million, have no expected completion dates following disputes and terminations involving contractors.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) recently briefed the provincial legislature on the status of seven long-delayed school construction projects, some now entering their fourth year without progress. While the provincial Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) oversees the sites, the portfolio has just seen a leadership change.
Contractors at the centre of delays
The update, signed by Education MEC Matome Chiloane, was provided in response to a question from the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Across all seven projects, poor contractor performance and subsequent terminations were cited as the primary causes of delay. Several sites are currently at a complete standstill, with no target dates for completion.
“This denies learners the opportunity to be taught in a conducive environment and the delivery of quality education,” said DA Gauteng shadow MEC for education Sergio dos Santos. “Our children cannot afford any more broken promises.”
A R137 million shell
One of the most concerning cases is Inkululeko yeSizwe Primary School near Vlakfontein. More than three years after construction began in late 2020, the site remains an empty shell, while pupils continue learning in old shipping containers.
The provincial government earmarked R137 million for the school, but the project has been hampered by community disruptions, SMME disputes, slow progress, delays in material deliveries, and frequent equipment breakdowns.
The contractor also faced ongoing cash-flow issues, leading GDID to initiate termination processes.
Other delayed projects
- Refithlile Pele Primary began construction in September 2022 and is 87% complete.
- Thabotana Farm School near Heidelberg, started in 2024 with a R160 million budget, but has stalled after the contractor was terminated.
- Simunye Secondary near Randfontein, launched in 2021 at a cost of R123 million, is only 66% complete, with the contractor’s termination pending.
- Rust Ter Vaal Secondary near Vereeniging is behind schedule due to contractor underperformance and municipal challenges. A revised recovery plan has been submitted, but the GDE warns that power supply remains uncertain pending confirmation from the Emfuleni municipality.
- Semphato Combined Secondary in Soshanguve (92% complete) and Dr WK du Plessis LSEN near Springs (97% complete) were both initiated in 2021 and together account for R378 million of the total spend.
Altogether, the seven delayed schools carry a combined budget of R955.9 million.
Accountability and new leadership
When asked what actions had been taken to enforce accountability, the GDE stated that no officials have faced disciplinary hearings, as the delays were not linked to internal underperformance. Contractors and service providers, however, have been placed on terms or removed entirely.
Infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo recently welcomed former education head of department Rufus Mmultana as the new GDID head. The pair outlined an internal project-tracking overhaul aimed at improving delivery on infrastructure projects.
“If we don’t deliver these productive assets to the people, we will not improve their quality of life and we will not grow the economy,” Mamabolo said.
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