Police confiscated various weapons and drugs during recent school searches in Cape Town.
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Captain Nondumiso Paul, Langa police station spokesperson, says the searches were prompted by complaints that pupils were using drugs, carrying weapons and drinking alcohol during school hours. Some of the confiscated items included knives, scissors and drugs.
On March 15, several high schools in Langa were searched as part of a joint effort by the SAPS, the community police forum (CPF) and neighbourhood watch. “Due to ongoing gang-related issues within the community, which has filtered onto the school premises, we had to do something. There should be various safety control measures at the school in order to protect teachers and pupils,” says Captain Paul. “We hope that the search will lower the criminal activities by young people.”
Vukani News reports that random searches will continue to reduce the use of drugs and that most schools will be targeted. The goal of these searches, according to CPF chairperson Alfred Magwaca, is to show children that bullying, disrespect, and drug use will not be tolerated at school. “We’ve been seeing our boys and girls intoxicated. We have been seeing our boys and girls out of school during school hours. It might seem they are exploring but it is no longer exploring. They are using them on a daily basis. That is affecting them at school and their teachers. They behave in a manner that is not acceptable. We then decided that with the crime prevention of the SAPS, these are random searches that we have to do.”
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