Police in Ekurhuleni have raised concerns at the drug abuse and the carrying of illegal and dangerous weapons in Daveyton schools in their efforts to make schools safer.
This was after a surprise search operation by the Daveyton SAPS, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan social workers, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) ,the Community Policing Forum (CPF) on Monday at Mabuya Secondary School and the Daveyton Skills School for children with mild learning disabilities.
Police spokesperson Sgt Constance Moalusi said the operation was pursued after principals, educators and school governing bodies reported dozens of cases of substance abuse, aggressive behaviour and dangerous weapons being found on pupils during school hours .
Moalusi said the rollout will be looking at regularly searching at all the 33 schools around the Daveyton, Cloverdene and Etwatwa area.
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Searching the classrooms and pupils individually with the assistance of the EMPD K9 dog unit, about seven specially trained dogs were deployed into classrooms where they sniffed the pupils' bags, and pockets, found loads of dagga, hunting knives and sharp large scissors .
Moalusi said because of Covid-19 regulations and social distancing, police decided to use more dogs than hands to avoid contact with students.
“Only the hotspot blocks and classrooms required full body searches.
“It all goes to parenting. As much as we are police officers, we are also parents and it's a serious challenge that the pupils behave in such manner. We will focus on making the schools a safer place for all innocent learners ,educators, and the general staff.”
Speaking at Mabuya Secondary School, a teacher who did not want to be named said teachers have to always watch their backs during school hours because anything could happen.
The grade 11 and 12 teacher said she fears for her life and always takes caution when reprimanding the teens aged between the ages of 13 and 20.
“It's not like we pick up dead bodies every day but because of the dangerous weapons they carry anyone can be stabbed especially during gang fights. It's shocking.”
CPF member Lindo Shabane said the Mabuya Secondary School was riddled with gangsterism, bullying, theft and substance abuse.
When the search proceeded to another school, more drugs were dug out behind and inside classrooms from male pupils aged 15 and 20.
When Sowetan visited the school, the majority of the pupils were found to have been smoking cigarettes and dagga, even girls aged 15 to 19.
However, the Daveyton Skills School expressed relief with the search rollout.
The school principal Thembi Letsoalo said the school had deployed psychologists and social workers to help the pupils with special educational needs.
“I love these children so much and I have come to understand that we must not be hard on them. Their backgrounds and home problems are among the causes of early behavioural change, aggression and anger,” Letsoalo said.
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