Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has appealed to the local police and managers of the Adopt-a-Cop programme to provide support to Realogile Secondary School in Alexandra, specifically targeting the persistent problems of break-ins, substance abuse and vandalism.

Mthombeni’s appeal came during the launch of a new chess programme at the school, which councillor Adolph Marema deemed a powerful initiative that uses the game to build critical thinking, discipline and youth development.

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Delivering his message at the school, Mthombeni highlighted the need for collaboration among police stations, the Adopt-a-Cop initiative, and the broader social crime-prevention framework.

“I call upon the local police station, more especially the Adopt-a-Cop programme, or those people who are managing the Adopt-a-Cop programme that with this programme [the social crime prevention programme], you have to ensure that you support the school, ensure that you deal with what has been highlighted here at school which is the break-ins,” he said.

He went on to emphasise that substance abuse and vandalism must also be confronted head-on, calling on communities to unite against crime as the common enemy.

The appeal formed part of a wider event at Realogile Secondary School that launched a chess programme aimed at sharpening young minds, promoting mental fitness and keeping learners constructively occupied.

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Under Mthombeni’s leadership, police donated a big chess set to the school, while the Department of Sports, in partnership with Afrika Tikkun, contributed additional sports equipment to encourage active participation and counterbalance the pervasive influence of amapiano culture among the youth.

Marema praised the chess initiative, describing it as a powerful tool for youth development. “It is a powerful initiative that uses chess to promote critical thinking, discipline and youth development,” Marema said, highlighting the programme’s potential to nurture learners.

Mthombeni noted that programmes like chess help keep learners ‘busy and away from the clutches of crime’.

School Governing Body chairperson Aubrey Mudau welcomed the donation, emphasising that it should mark the beginning of greater things to come. “May today’s event be the catalyst for many good things to come. We are very much thankful for your presence and the initiative that you have taken for our school.”

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