By Levy Masiteng 

Suspected dagga, nyaope and abortion pills were among the prohibited substances uncovered during school safety searches across Gauteng on Wednesday, as Education MEC Lebogang Maile intensified a province-wide crackdown aimed at keeping drugs and other illegal items out of schools.

The latest South African Police Service (SAPS)-led search-and-seizure operations were conducted at Baleseng Junior Secondary School, Tiyelelani Secondary School, Ngaka Maseko Secondary School, Holy Trinity Secondary School and FR Smangaliso Mkhathwa Secondary School.

“The five schools bring the total number of Gauteng schools searched through the ongoing operations to 17,” the Gauteng Department of Education said. 

The department said a substantial quantity of dagga was found in the possession of a female learner, raising concerns that it could have been intended for distribution.

In another incident, a learner found carrying small packets of dagga reportedly told authorities that he had been recruited by a local drug dealer to sell the substance.

“These discoveries are extremely concerning. Our children must never be used as instruments for criminal activity,” Maile said.

“Those who target learners and use them to distribute drugs are attacking the future of our communities.”

The latest searches formed part of an increasingly aggressive school-safety drive by the GDE, with Maile working alongside SAPS and other law-enforcement structures to tackle substance abuse, gangsterism, dangerous items and criminal activity in schools.

The crackdown gathered momentum earlier this month, when police-led searches were conducted at schools in Carletonville and Orange Farm. 

The campaign was subsequently extended to Alexandra, where more than 100 prohibited items were reportedly seized from three high schools during an unannounced operation on 19 August. The searches followed concerns about crime and indiscipline at schools in the area. 

Operations were also conducted in Westbury, where authorities recovered suspected drugs, smoking-related items and other prohibited objects. The department has indicated that further searches would continue. 

“It takes a village to raise a child. Schools cannot confront these challenges alone,” Maile said.

The operations are linked to the department’s “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” programme, which places collective responsibility on communities and institutions to safeguard children’s wellbeing.

The department said the searches will continue as part of efforts to strengthen discipline and prevent prohibited substances and other dangerous items from entering Gauteng schools.

“Parents, communities, law enforcement agencies, School Governing Bodies and government must work together to protect our children and ensure that schools remain safe and conducive environments for learning,” Maile said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

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