Seshego scholar transport should prepare to be stop-and-searched

POLOKWANE – Private scholar transport operators should prepare themselves for stop-and-search operations by the police and Seshego community members.

This is according to the township’s police spokesperson, Sgt Ali Maluleke who said they found illegal items ranging from substance-induced cookies, broken bottles and other sharp objects in some vehicles during a recent search operation on September 1.

Hundreds of learners who use government scholar buses from areas around Extensions 71, 73,75 and 76 were ordered to vacate the buses they were travelling in, as they reached the Madiba Park traffic lights on the morning of September 1, and several vehicles were thoroughly searched.

Learners’ backpacks were also searched after reports from schools regarding misconduct.

Maluleke said while they were pleased that the programme yielded results later in the day, a parent whose child attends secondary school in the area contacted them saying his child had confessed to buying cookies that had been laced with an illegal substance.

“This made us realise that we need to ramp up our searches, even in the private transportation sector. Drivers should not be surprised when we pull them over with a request to search the vehicle and learners’ belongings,” he said.

For the effectiveness of the operation, Maluleke said they would also intensify efforts to conduct searches at schools.

“There is also a considerable percentage of learners who walk to school, or use means other than private and public scholar transport. That is why the searches are necessary at schools too.”

The Education Department has welcomed the group’s efforts and suggestions.