Note to Editors: Attached please find a soundbite in English by DA MPL, Sergio Isa Dos Santos here.
A second devastating fire at Riverlea High School in Johannesburg has left over 300 learners without classrooms. This follows last night’s fire incident, which is suspected to be arson, that left several classrooms, laboratories, and the library completely gutted, compounding an already dire situation at the school.
See photos here, here, here and here. Please see the video here.
Despite the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirming that a contractor had been appointed to repair the fire damage from April 2025, no work has been done due to budgetary constraints. The project, handed over to the Department of Infrastructure and Development (GDID), remains untouched. The GDE confirms budgetary constraints despite the school being due for an infrastructure upgrade.
Grade 8 and 9 learners are forced to use the school hall, which is not conducive to learning and teaching. The school urgently needs additional classrooms with furniture, including the mobile classrooms, which lack efficient furniture. Sanitation is also inadequate, placing learners’ dignity and health at continued risk.
There are serious concerns regarding security at the school, which is inadequate despite fires and thefts. Insufficient lighting at the school, combined with relatively easy access to the school from an open space, which is not maintained, creates an environment attractive to criminal activity and vandalism. These conditions not only expose infrastructure to further damage but also place learners and educators at risk.
The GDE and GDID must prevent continued delays and bring dignity to the learners. No learner should be taught in an undignified and unsafe environment due to the Gauteng Provincial Government’s continued failures.
A DA-led provincial government would prioritise immediate emergency infrastructure interventions and ensure that budgets are ring-fenced for emergency repairs and maintenance. We would additionally ensure that funds are not diverted to non-essential spending and that there is transparent reporting on how funds are spent. A rapid response unit with pre-approved contractors and strict turnaround times will be established.