The Limpopo Department of Employment and Labour has closed a school in Musina after a health inspection found an infestation of bats in classroom roofs.
Supplied by Limpopo Department of Employment and L
- The labour and employment department has closed down a school in Musina due to a bat infestation at the school.
- The department said educators also claimed snakes were killed on a weekly basis.
- The Grade 4 classroom had cracks at the door post which overlapped with the Grade 5 classroom.
The Limpopo Department of Employment and Labour has closed a school in Musina after a bat infestation in classroom roofs was discovered during an inspection.
The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspector at Sigonde Primary School carried out the inspection.
It was found that the school did not comply with the OHS Act 85 of 1993, which stipulates that if the state of the building threatens or is likely to threaten the health and/or safety of persons, the building should be prohibited with immediate effect from occupation or continued used.
During the administration inspection on 24 May, the inspector discovered that 50 pupils were absent from school after they reported that they were sick due to the bat infestation.
It added:
Grades R, 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 had bats on the classroom roofs which pose a danger to the health and safety of persons and may cause sickness, diseases and…death.
“Educators alleged that snakes are killed on a weekly basis as they are attracted by the bats in the classrooms,” the department said.
[Video] The Sigonde Primary School in Limpopo was recently closed following a proactive inspection that took place on 27 May 2022. The school was prohibited based on the following:
– Grade R 1,4,5,6 and 7 had bats on the classroom roofs which poses danger to the health and safety https://t.co/rCkW2ANc5D pic.twitter.com/CwQ0ln9mam— Department of Employment and Labour (@deptoflabour) June 1, 2022
It added that the Grade 4 classroom had cracks at the door post which overlapped with the Grade 5 classroom.
A mobile classroom for Grade 2 pupils is the only class that is still functioning.
The school will remain closed until the issues are resolved.
“Health and safety are part of our business. We do not leave anything to chance. Employers must make sure that, at any given time, they comply with OHS legislation. When they are not sure, they must call us for advocacy so we can assist them to get their house in order.
“Inspections are our day-to-day business. When we come across any life-threatening situations, we will, unfortunately, have to close the building. We commend our inspectors who do not compromise the health and safety of persons and encourage them to continue to do their jobs to mitigate non-compliance,” acting provincial inspector Reckson Tshitshivheli said.
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