‘Pens down parties’ set to kick off
Police are bracing themselves as thousands of matrics head to uMhlanga.
DURBAN North police are bracing themselves for the thousands of marticulants who will be descending on uMhlanga and Ballito from Friday.
Spokesperson, Capt Raymond Deokaran, said they have been preparing for weeks ahead of the events that sees the teenagers celebrating the end of their 12-year schooling career in what has become known as ‘pen down parties’.
“We have our plans in place to deal with drunken driving and an influx of learners in our area. During this time, we increase our manpower in areas that learners are expected to frequent, like shopping malls and movie theatres. Our officers who are usually in the office go out and patrol,” he said.
Capt Deokaran said their biggest concern was with parents who leave their children unattended at malls. “There should always be an adult with your children. If not, there should be a contact that can be reached in case of an emergency,” he said.
The Department of Education is equally concerned and cautioned learners today not to engage in reckless sexual behaviour. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for education, Mthandeni Dlungwane said, “There is no sense for a learner to lose his or her life to tragedy after spending 12 years at school. Finishing Grade 12 is not the destination, but it should signal the beginning of a brighter future for any learner,” he said.
