Local school on the spotlight amid sparking safety concerns
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Social Crime Prevention Unit recently visited the Southampton Private Academy school, following a complaint lodged by neighbours of the school.
EMPD’s Social Crime Prevention Unit visited a New Redruth independent school, Southampton Private Academy established in 2020, on February 7.
This comes after a complaint was lodged by neighbours of the school, citing that parents caused traffic jams when they drop or pick up their children at the school.
The complainant said they suspect the school is not registered with the Department of Education. Other safety risks were also punted, such as there is apparently no proper playing area for learners who are from Grade One to Grade 12. The school is located in a flat.
Officers addressed the concerns with the acting principal, who also provided valid registration documents.
During the visit, eight written notices for various contraventions to motorists outside the school were issued. The members assured me they will continue to monitor the school to ensure that they are complying with the law.
Wiseman Ncube, deputy principal at Southampton Private Academy, said when they registered they consulted relative authorities to properly run the school.
“We have enough space for our children and we’re using municipality grounds for other curricular activities,” he explained.
He said they are also working with another school which provides them with bigger grounds for their activities.
Ncube said teachers take learners to the gate after hours and that no one leaves school premises until they have been picked up.
Eric Kibuuka of the academy reiterated this was the first time they received a complaint.
While regarding children’s safety as a top priority, he said they took an initiative to put up speed humps just outside their premises.
Leon Mtshali, the chairperson of Greater Alberton Education Transport Co-Operative Limited, said this is one of the schools in Alberton which ensures that learners are safeguarded and not allowed to leave their premises unattended.
“Drivers always find children in the waiting area inside their premises and learners are never allowed to go out before transportation arrives. We have never received any complaints of children being missing, unlike some schools. In the morning, we do tell our drivers to ensure that the process of dropping off and picking up learners is well facilitated,” he said.
