Police to monitor school year-end parties
Police are deployed to watch for all criminal activities during 'Pens Down and 'Omunye phezu komunye' parties
THERE will be no mercy for young offenders who break the law during shindigs arranged across the region to celebrate the end of the school year.
Whether in ‘Pens Down’ or ‘Omunye phezu komunye’ parties, police will be watching closely at all festivities to ensure there are no criminal activities.
Many high school pupils use the last week of school to party and engage in alcohol and drugs consumption.
Sadly, celebrations often end up in violent fights, sexual assaults, drownings, drug overdoses and fatal accidents.
‘These parties lead to tragic incidents as celebrations sometimes go out of control. Under-aged children are often involved in alcohol, drugs and even sexual activities,’ said King Cetshwayo Police Cluster spokesperson Capt Mbongeni Mdlalose.
According to Mdlalose, police officials, including members of the Crime Prevention Unit, will target hot spots such as secluded houses used for bashes as well as local beaches.
‘Searches will be conducted to ensure these parties are weapon- and drug safe.’
Beach recreation spots in Richards Bay and Mtunzini as well as some areas in eSikhaleni will be targetted.
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‘Lawbreakers will be arrested and they will spend their Christmas in jail,’ said Mdlalose.
Mdlalose pleaded with parents to discourage unruly activities.
‘They have the potential to rob our children off their future. Even if they are not involved in any criminal activities, many do engage in drunken, sexual acts. Some become victims of rape and with no recollection of what happened the night before,’ he said.
On Wednesday police kick started the programme and were positioned at some schools to prevent disruptions when pupils received their report cards.
‘Sometimes children are not happy with the results and cause disturbances in schools. Our job was to ensure the last day of school runs smoothly,’ said Mdlalose.
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