The law enforcement officers partnered with Mr Pritt, a mascot, to give the children a day they would remember for a very long time.
The station’s Lieutenant Ramonkung Thobejane told North Eastern Tribune that the event was organised to teach the pupils about their rights.
“We decided to bring a fun element into the day and it would be an effective way to make sure that they do not forget,” he said.
Dance and laughter were the order of the day as pupils were given the opportunity to hug and talk to Mr Pritt.
The event took place on 22 July and was held at the school hall.
Thobejane, who belongs to the Social Crime Prevention Unit, said it was important to remind children of their rights at all times. “We also want to make them realise that the police are their friends and are here to protect them,” he explained.
Constable Mapitso Brown was one of the officers in attendance and she interacted with the pupils, enjoying the dances and singing.
Bullying was one of the issues that pupils raised and the Mr Pritt encouraged pupils to reports such cases to their teachers and parents.
He handed out presents to pupils who interacted with him while on stage and outstanding ‘students’ were called to the stage to have an up close and personal moment with him.
Thobejane said children were the future of South Africa and the more effort put into equipping them with the right knowledge to make wise decisions, the more chances they would have at making a difference in the future.
“It is the little things that we take for granted that they need. If a child tells you they are being abused, you need to make sure they do not regret making the decision to tell you. Children will always remember how we make them feel about themselves and it’s important that we do not let them down,” he said.
