Alexandra and Realogile High schools received surprise morning police raids as part of the police’s social crime prevention duty.
Aided by a sniffer dog and community safety patrollers, police officers raided several classrooms where jittery and nervous pupils were frisked and their bags searched for drugs or weapons. They were also given a talk by officers on the importance of education, abstention from substance abuse and discipline in class. They were asked to inform police when they encountered any criminal activities in the school or in the community.
At Alex High, Warrant Officer Moses Sambo said nothing illegal was found on pupils. “This may indicate that the children could be paying more attention to their schoolwork [rather] than mischief. But, we will continue to conduct the raids unannounced to deter any misbehaviour creeping in,” he said.
At Realogile, Lieutenant Ramonkung Thobejana said while it may be pleasing, it was also surprising that no illegal substances or dangerous items were found. This he said in reference to raids not long ago where dagga, cigarettes, pangas and knives were found.
He added that more precise raids would continue until the schools were rendered safe environments for learning. A teacher and some pupils at Realogile said the raid may have yielded nothing because the children were searched on entry every morning. “Even cellphones are confiscated at the gate and offenders are charged R100 to recollect them, which they avoid as it impacts on their family income,” said a teacher who requested anonymity.
The teacher was also concerned about teenage pregnancy, even among primary school children. “It will implode very soon if no solution is found urgently,” he said.
The Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga has in the past revealed that more than 20 000 schoolgirls fell pregnant annually.
