Angie gives other ministers a fail

“School infrastructure not only for education ministry”

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga is not willing to go down alone for failure to meet the school infrastructure targets that the state itself set.

In her defence‚ in court papers submitted by Advocate Chris Erasmus‚ the minister stated it was common cause that the implementation of the norms and standards was subject to the resources and cooperation of other government agencies and entities responsible for infrastructure.

Motshekga wanted other departments such as Water and Sanitation and Public Works to also be held accountable.

“For instance‚ this will include some of the departments such as the minister of public works being responsible for infrastructure of the state in general‚ the ministries of water and sanitation being responsible for infrastructure relating to water and sanitation and the minister of energy being responsible for the provision of electrical infrastructure.

“None of these entities have been cited as respondents‚ despite a list of other respondents having been identified as necessary parties‚” read her defence.

The court case by Equal Education to get Motshekga and the nine education MECs to meet the school infrastructure deadlines was held yesterday at the Bhisho High Court in Eastern Cape.

A giant blow-up doll of Motshekga had been placed at the entrance of the court where Equal Education members were picketing.

The family of five-year-old Limpopo boy Michael Komape‚ who died after falling into a pit toilet at his school‚ were also present in court. Michael’s father said he supported Equal Education’s call because the government failed his son.