Authorities in Mpumalanga confiscated a wide range of dangerous and illegal items, including knives, pangas, hammers, dagga (marijuana), illicit cigarettes, and crushed pills from students across several schools on Tuesday. The confiscations were part of a targeted operation aimed at enhancing school safety and curbing the increasing presence of illegal activities within educational environments.
The raid was led by Mpumalanga’s Department of Community Safety, Security, and Liaison (DCSSL) MEC Jackie Macie, alongside law enforcement agencies. They conducted random searches in four schools within the Masoyi policing precinct, aiming to address the alarming rise of students bringing weapons and drugs to school.
Macie expressed deep concern about the issue, emphasizing the need for students to focus on learning rather than engaging in dangerous behavior. He stated:
“Learning and teaching should be respected; this thing of learners bringing weapons and drugs into schools should be curbed immediately. That is why we will continue to have these unannounced visits to support the Department of Education and create a safer environment for teaching and learning.”
Most Problematic Schools Identified
The Department of Education flagged four “most problematic” schools for the raid: Bhekiswako, Siphumelele, Khanyisani, and Lungisani secondary schools. These schools have been identified as hotspots for students carrying illegal and dangerous items.
Raids as Part of the School Safety Programme
The operation is part of the School Safety Programme, a collaborative initiative between the DCSSL, the Department of Education, South African Police Services (SAPS), the Department of Correctional Services, traffic officers, and law enforcement units from the City of Mbombela. These random raids aim to promote a safer learning environment and discourage criminal activities in schools.
Macie stressed the importance of early intervention to prevent the issue from worsening:
“These learners are our future, and if we cannot nip it in the bud, the future of our country is doomed. Instead of breeding academics, we will be breeding criminals in schools. That is why we need communities to work with us to create a safer schooling environment, and for parents to monitor their children and ensure they don’t carry unwanted items to school.”
Similar Operations in Carletonville
A similar operation took place in Carletonville, where law enforcement, led by Sergeant Thabo Mathebula, the SAPS Social Crime Prevention Officer, conducted a community outreach and school safety programme on 20 August. At Wonderfontein High School, a search of the premises revealed that around 250 students were carrying illegal items, including two Okapi knives, eight hand-rolled cannabis cigarettes, cannabis, and cookies infused with cannabis.
The discovery in Carletonville, like in Mpumalanga, highlights a growing concern for student safety and the urgent need for continued efforts to prevent illegal activities in schools.