BLOEMFONTEIN – The Matla Primary School in Phase 6, Bloemfontein, has re-opened amid parents’ grave concerns over incomplete repair work to ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Most learners returned to school on Monday 16 March after a temporary closure on 5 March due to transgressions of health and safety regulations.
On Thursday a handful of children attended, with parents citing poor communication about the school re-opening. The Department of Employment and Labour’s inspection team enforced a prohibition notice until the Free State Department of Education fully implemented corrective measures aligned with health and safety regulations.
The inspection was conducted on 19 February, resulting in both contravention and prohibition notices being served to the Department of Education. The Department of Labour enforced the prohibition to safeguard the lives of personnel, teaching staff and learners. This was after finding the conditions too risky for continued occupational use.
Teaching continues at the school, in parallel with repair work by the appointed company. Gravely concerned parents lamented the fact that 14 days of learning have been lost unnecessarily, blaming the Department of Education.
Two parents, speaking anonymously, pointed out that the temporary closure was avoidable. “It is unforgivable for the department to risk the lives of people, failing to do the right thing – to comply with regulations,” said the angry woman.
Angry parents stood for hours by the gate on Thursday, seeking an explanation about the situation and arrangements for teaching and learning to continue, while risks existed as highlighted by the Department of Labour.
Manelisi Luxande, provincial chief inspector, said an inspection conducted by the Department of Labour in terms of the OHSA uncovered serious and unacceptable non-compliance. In a statement issued, he pointed risks, a kitchen and mobile classroom were operating without temperature regulation and recording temperatures exceeding 30°C. Risk factors include water leaks causing pooling around electrical fixtures, increasing the risk of electrocution.
“This blatant neglect of safety standards inevitably exposes learners and educators to harm and potential fatalities. We cannot gamble with the lives of children and staff by allowing the school to operate under such glaring occupational safety violations,” said Luxande.
Non-compliance widespread in several Free State government departments. The inspector department findings reveal department to be chronically transgressing the OHSA. Inspections conducted in 2025 at 187 government offices and facilities revealed alarming findings, with 129 facilities flagged as non-compliant.
Also read: Free State government departments chronically flouting health and safety regulations
