Infighting, claims of sabotage sees learning at Hammanskraal school disrupted for 8th straight day

HAMMANSKRAAL - Teaching and learning at Tsebe Ntlha Primary School in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, has been disrupted for an eighth consecutive day.

At the heart of the prolonged shutdown is damaged infrastructure, claims of sabotage and a bitter power struggle among parents.

Some parents argue that the situation is made worse by demands to pay registration fees, purchase stationery and cover other expenses despite the school being a no-fee public institution.

Situated just five minutes from the North West-Gauteng border, Tsebe Ntlha Primary School carries the weight of educating hundreds of children in the area.

But for over a week, classrooms have been empty, locked in a battle of infighting and allegations of financial mismanagement.

Fears of violence have also grown, with reports of arson attacks, allegedly sparked by disgruntled parents, casting a shadow over the school grounds.

"We want a way forward. Our children need to return to school. We can’t be fighting over fees while they’re stuck at home. That’s for the district to sort out."

With the Gauteng education department aware of the turmoil, the matter is now also under police investigation.