A blank bullet, suspected dagga, and prohibited items, including vapes, were uncovered on August 19, when Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile, and police officers, swept through two Alexandra high schools as part of a province-wide crackdown on crime in schools.

The SAPS-led search and seizure operation began at East Bank High School, where officers recovered the bullet, dagga, and other items, before Maile and law enforcement partners moved on to Realogile High School and Alexandra High School, where a further search also turned up prohibited items, including vapes.

Read more: Minerva Secondary School pupils boycott classes over allegations of teacher misconduct

The Alexandra sweep is the latest in a series of unannounced school searches the department says are aimed at rooting out dangerous weapons, drugs, gangsterism, and other criminal activity from Gauteng classrooms.

Wednesday’s operation follows earlier SAPS-led searches at schools in Khutsong and Orange Farm, which the department says recovered knives and illegal substances.

“The operations form part of the MEC’s commitment to regularly conduct and strengthen law enforcement interventions at schools,” said the department, “to ensure that learners and educators are able to learn and work in safe and secure environments.”

Also read: Gauteng education MEC slams armed attack at Iphutheng Primary School

The searches are being carried out by SAPS in partnership with Gauteng traffic wardens and other law enforcement agencies.

This co-ordinated push, the department says, is designed to keep pressure on crime and substance abuse in school communities.

The department has not said which schools will be targeted next, but has signalled that the operations will continue to be rolled out across the province.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!