Last Thursday, Moroka Police Station officers, Johannesburg Metro Police Department officer, patrollers and volunteers had to re-group during a school search at Morris Issacson High School after pupils refused to be searched and threatened the law enforcers.
The drama unfolded after three pupils alleged that their cellphones were stolen by police officers during the search, so other pupils refused to be searched further and decided to boycott their classes if police carry on with their search.
One of the students Musa Moloi said: “We are not thieves, why must we be searched, we are here to learn and not be interrupted by police when we are in class during school hours.
“So as pupils we decided that we can’t be searched further because we want to study and the worst part is that police illegally took our classmates cellphones.”
Another pupil Portia Mnguni who alleged her phone was forcefully confiscated from her said she felt embarrassed about the whole situation.
“The reason why we decided to clash with the police and threaten them with stones is because they didn’t respect us, they came into our classrooms and started searching our school bags, pockets and purse without explaining why they were doing that and worst part they didn’t have search warrant.
“I didn’t understand as to why my cellphone had to be taken away because it was and it remains off when I’m inside classroom, as students we felt that our privacy was invaded and abused at the same time, that’s why we reacted and decided to fight back.”
No one from the staff members agreed to conduct interview with the media and Moroka police Station communications officer John Serala said the whole issue was blown out of proportion.
“Yes the volunteers were instructed to take the cellphones and hand them to the class teacher who will them hand them to rightful owners after school, but some pupils didn’t understand the whole issue.
“So to avoid a fight were forces needed to be used, we regrouped and decided to cut short the search.”
