Phoenix school slapped R1.4m utility bill

FORESTHAVEN Secondary School in Phoenix is grappling with a staggering R1.4 million municipal utility bill as calls for a moratorium on school utility disconnections intensify.

- ZAINUL DAWOOD

Several schools in eThekwini Municipality had their water and electricity services disconnected due to unpaid bills.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education's Section 20 schools and offices owed eThekwini R537m, while Section 21 schools owed R336m.

The Foresthaven school's water and electricity supply was reconnected on Tuesday.

Jay Singh, an eThekwini councillor representing the United Independent Movement (UIM), said the disconnections were against the Constitution.

"By cutting these services, the municipality is engaging in a constitutional crime against the youth of Phoenix. We will not allow the administrative failures of the state to be solved on the backs of indigent learners," he said.

Singh said that despite the best efforts of the school's administration, they face the following challenges: