A North West school is owed more than R600,000 after defaulting on rental agreements for two photocopiers and a phone system. Meanwhile 789 learners are left with broken toilets and dilapidated classrooms

  • Batshoki Secondary School in the North West has had a court judgment against it for more than R600,000 after defaulting on a rental agreement for two photocopiers and a digital phone.
  • The equipment was damaged or stolen during the 2020 Covid lockdown soon after the contract was signed.
  • Meanwhile the school's 789 learners use broken, dirty toilets or defecate in bushes, while walls, ceilings and floors of classrooms have been damaged.
  • Since the school's bank account has been frozen, the accounts are being operated by the District Education Department.

More than 789 learners at Baitshoki Secondary School in Itoseng, near Lichtenberg, have to use dirty and broken toilets. Walls and roofs and floors have been damaged in classrooms at a non-fee school in the North West province. And conditions continue to worsen as a judgment of over R600,000 in legal fees and interest has been awarded against the school, after defaulting on a rental agreement for a photocopier and a digital phone.

“It is difficult to concentrate on your studies in such an environment,” a learner told GroundUp on condition of anonymity. “The toilets are dirty and broken. Sometimes there is no water. We feel neglected.”

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Some learners avoid toilets altogether and defecate in nearby bushes.

In March 2020, the school entered into two rental agreements. One was for Sunlin's phone system, which was Rs 2,000 per month for 60 months, increasing at 15% per annum. This brings the total cost to approximately R160,000 according to our calculations. The outstanding amount was to be charged at 6% above the main interest rate.

The school also signed a similar agreement from Corporate Rental Solutions (CRS) for two photocopiers at R7,590 per month. According to court papers, the total cost of the photocopier will be R615,000, at the end of which the school will no longer own the equipment, which will remain the property of CRS. Maintenance costs were also additional.

But soon after, during the Covid lockdown of March 2020, the phone system was stolen and the photocopiers were damaged in the theft.

The school owed more than R20,000 and R57,000 on two contracts until January 2022.

Sanlin and CRS later transferred their rights to other entities.

In September 2023, judgments were obtained against the school by Sasfin for R147,000 for the phone system and R459,000 for the photocopier by the South African Securitization Programme, which is controlled by Sasfin. Additionally, prime plus 6% interest is payable on the amount due till January 25, 2022. The school is also responsible for the return of the phone system and photocopier. It will also have to pay legal fees.