Sewage leak shuts down Kavango East school
Angry parents demand answers
The on-site sewage treatment plant was upgraded just last year but has reportedly faced multiple issues since the beginning of this year.
A primary school in the Kavango East region was forced to shut its doors this week after a burst pipe caused sewage to flood the school grounds and spread to nearby homes and shops.
Authorities confirmed the incident at the Matumbo Angelina Ribebe Secondary School had prevented the school from reopening after the long weekend due to the health risks posed by the raw sewage to learners and staff.
School principal Johannes Kasoka on Tuesday told Namibian Sun: “A pipeline in the sewage treatment plant located on our school premises has burst, causing wastewater to overflow and run past the school gate. It’s now flowing down the road and reaching nearby houses and shops. We are now waiting for the contractor to complete the work so we can determine the way forward.”
The resulting stench and health risks have left learners stranded, with some returning home, while others remain stuck in hostels reportedly without access to water.
Angry parents have accused both the contractor and education authorities of negligence, underlining that the on-site plan was only renovated last year.
“The company and the work inspector need to tell the nation why this sewage plant was renovated just a year ago and is already failing,” a parent told Namibian Sun.
By Wednesday the school was still closed.
Another parent said: “We were only informed around 10:22 [on Monday] not to send our children back to school. This is not a small matter – children and teachers are losing valuable time.”
Delays under the spotlight
The school’s sewage facility was renovated in 2024 by Nondunge Eparu Trading CC, owned by contractor Nondunge Eparu. In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Eparu said the work was completed around April last year and acknowledged that the system began malfunctioning as early as January.
He attributed the current failure to a faulty bearing and said delays in payment and unresponsive suppliers hampered timely repairs.
“I wanted to fix this during the break,” Eparu explained. “But I wasn’t paid, and most shops were closed. It’s not a big issue – just a bearing. I’ve assured the principal the work should be done by Wednesday.”
Meanwhile, Kavango East regional education director Christine Shilima confirmed that the issue was brought to her attention over the long weekend but that it escalated before parents could be informed.
“Learners were already back, and there is no system in place to reach everyone immediately,” she said. “I told the principal to use radio announcements, but not all parents have access. That’s the inconvenience we’re facing.”
Shilima added that her office is preparing a formal complaint to the procurement management unit at the regional council over the delay in repairs.
Authorities confirmed the incident at the Matumbo Angelina Ribebe Secondary School had prevented the school from reopening after the long weekend due to the health risks posed by the raw sewage to learners and staff.
School principal Johannes Kasoka on Tuesday told Namibian Sun: “A pipeline in the sewage treatment plant located on our school premises has burst, causing wastewater to overflow and run past the school gate. It’s now flowing down the road and reaching nearby houses and shops. We are now waiting for the contractor to complete the work so we can determine the way forward.”
The resulting stench and health risks have left learners stranded, with some returning home, while others remain stuck in hostels reportedly without access to water.
Angry parents have accused both the contractor and education authorities of negligence, underlining that the on-site plan was only renovated last year.
“The company and the work inspector need to tell the nation why this sewage plant was renovated just a year ago and is already failing,” a parent told Namibian Sun.
By Wednesday the school was still closed.
Another parent said: “We were only informed around 10:22 [on Monday] not to send our children back to school. This is not a small matter – children and teachers are losing valuable time.”
Delays under the spotlight
The school’s sewage facility was renovated in 2024 by Nondunge Eparu Trading CC, owned by contractor Nondunge Eparu. In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Eparu said the work was completed around April last year and acknowledged that the system began malfunctioning as early as January.
He attributed the current failure to a faulty bearing and said delays in payment and unresponsive suppliers hampered timely repairs.
“I wanted to fix this during the break,” Eparu explained. “But I wasn’t paid, and most shops were closed. It’s not a big issue – just a bearing. I’ve assured the principal the work should be done by Wednesday.”
Meanwhile, Kavango East regional education director Christine Shilima confirmed that the issue was brought to her attention over the long weekend but that it escalated before parents could be informed.
“Learners were already back, and there is no system in place to reach everyone immediately,” she said. “I told the principal to use radio announcements, but not all parents have access. That’s the inconvenience we’re facing.”
Shilima added that her office is preparing a formal complaint to the procurement management unit at the regional council over the delay in repairs.
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