A Joburg South mother says she is worried her boys are losing their appetite for school. This is due to the crime they are seeing in the community, especially after the mass shooting that left four dead in Thembelihle informal settlement, Lenasia, South of Joburg.
Comaro Cronicle spoke to Joburg south resident Amanda May, who is concerned that her children do not feel safe walking to school which results in her children coming up with excuses to not go to school.
For most of the year, children spend more time at school than anywhere else other than their home. At school children need a secure, positive, and comfortable environment to help them learn, but unfortunately May does not feel her children are safe.
“Some of the things happening to our children are quite shocking. In my community, for example, many children get beaten up after being robbed. I’m sure these children don’t have a lot of money. So do you think my children would want to walk to school?” May asked.
While it is understandable that there are many cases where parents have no other choice but to let their children walk to school, letting them walk alone is where the problem sets in. These children are at high risk of falling victim to crimes such as human trafficking and rape.
To lower the risk of tragedy, rather let them walk to school in groups, preferably with older children that you know and trust, or take the time to walk with them.
SAPS are warning school children, to be alert and aware at all times. This comes after several cases have been reported, in which children have been robbed of their belongings while walking to or from school.
Here are a few safety tips for children:
• Walk in groups after school, not alone.
• Hide your cellphones and important belongings at all times.
• Be aware of crime hotspots in your community.
• Don’t talk to strangers.
• Be on the alert for and suspicious of criminal activities.
