The Randfontein police together with Randfontein traffic officers embarked on a massive drug raid at the Randfontein High School on 21 February where over 100 pupils were searched.
The search was part of an initiative by Public Safety MMC within the West Rand District Municipality Buyiswa Xulu’s to ensure that schools in the West Rand are safe and that pupils are in a conducive environment.
This was also in commemoration of Safety month celebrated throughout February.
“The truth of the matter is that our schools in the West Rand are facing a real challenge when it comes to satanism, drug abuse and the carrying of dangerous weapons when coming to school.,” says Xulu.
“Through this search operation, we were trying to eradicate such things and let our pupils know that this will not be tolerated.”
She adds that she was happy to report that no drugs were found on any of the pupils, although one packet of dagga was found discarded on a stairwell.
One pupil was found with a knife in his possession.
Xulu has warned that similar raids will be carried out at random at schools in Randfontein.
According to the school’s principal Marita Henning, she welcomes the search and has written to the relevant department on numerous occasions to organize the raid.
“If anything, I think that this is a postive initiative and I like that they are implementing it at random.
“I would rather have the pupils searched and know if there is a problem that needs to be dealt with.
“As educators we cannot turn a blind eye.”
Other schools were also visited during the raid.
These include Phahama Secondary School in Mohlakeng and Randfontein Secondary School in Toekomsrus.
